Sorry Borys!

DECEMBER 17th

Borneo:
At dawn 41 L2D2 transport planes (Douglas DC-3 built under licence by Showa and Nakajima) coming from Hainan after a refuelling stop at Bin Dinh drop 570 airborne troops at Miri. The airborne assault is coordinated with a bombing done by Bin Dinh based G4MI naval bombers and by aircraft from Zuiho and Shoho . By 0730 a full regiment of naval assault troops is landed by the Takahashi force. This is a complete surprise: the refinery and its oilfield have been partially prepared for demolition but this was stopped by the need for fuel for the Eastern Fleet. Commonwealth troops stationed at Miri (elements of the 2/15th Punjab Regt and of the Royal Engineers corps) are prevented from implementing the planned destruction of oil infrastructure, which is captured intact. By 1400 Japanese troops are in control of Miri and some troops are landed in Brunei Bay.  Seaplanes carriers Chiyoda and Nisshin began to establish a seaplane base while light cruisers and minelayers lay herringbone fields offshore to prevent bombardment by Somerville's battlecruiser force. 

The capture of Miri and its oilfields intact is a serious blow to the entire Allied position in the theatre, as the Japanese have suddenly leapfrogged hundreds of miles in advance of their existing positions.

ML-KNIL Martin WH-3 bombers of the 2-VLG-I based at Singkawang II have made a first attack by noon with 6 planes. However one flight had to return because of the bad weather between Singkawang and Miri and the other 3 planes were unable to assess their bombing result. Another raid launched at 1600 ran into Japanese top cover provided by carrier based A5M4s and A6M2s and by F1M2 seaplanes. Three Dutch bombers were destroyed and 2 other seriously damaged for the loss of one A5M4 and 1 F1M2. One freighter was seen burning.

Allied submarines present in the area have been ordered to attack Japanese naval forces but HMS Osiris is sunk by a seaplane when approaching the anchorage (the submarine position was probably given away by a fuel leakage). However the Dutch K-XVI sank Japanese destroyer Asakaze. A dusk Manchester raid causes some damage, but heavy haze (normal for the time of year) prevented accurate bombing from altitude. The F1M2 were not able to reach or keep up with the big bombers, four A5M4 were able to make a few passes. One was promptly shot down for its pains, the wounded pilot ditching it in a large pond he mistook for a meadow. (This machine was recovered in near-perfect condition in 1999 and is displayed in Tokyo).

Malaya/Singapore
The battle on the Kedah coast and at Jitra rages all the day. In northern Kedah, the situation looks more or less stabilized. The Japanese frontal attack against Jitra has been smashed with heavy losses by a combination of good tank-infantry work and superlative artillery work. The situation on the coast however is not as rosy. If the beach head near Jitra is now well contained and no more a threat the one near Alor Setar looks much more dangerous. Japanese troops, helped by D3A1 divebombers repulsed counter attacks and are threatening the main road. During the night, British cruisers have searched without results for Japanese boats and ships, and HMS Danae has shelled Japanese troops, which have landed near Alor Setar before retiring south. At dawn a new coaster convoy enters the Malacca strait to bring reinforcements. ML-KNIL planes based at Medan and Pakan Baru try to stop it in the morning but are intercepted by 15 A6M2s, the Dutch force losing 4 Martin WH-3 bombers and 7 Brewster B-339 for 3 Japanese fighters.

Lieutenant-General Percival, who has arrived in the night of the 16th to the 17th to assess the situation, advises General Wavell that troops holding strong at Jitra could be in a very serious situation would Japanese troops able to gain control of the main road. Percival advocates a major air effort in support to British and Commonwealth troops attack. However both the IJNAF and the IJAAF are maintaining a continuous fighter presence as well as attacking Kuala Lumpur and Subang airfield. By 1330 12 French Marylands (from GB IV/62) and 15 Blenheim IVs (what is left of 34, 60 and 62 SQNs although they have reinforcement aircraft arriving) escorted by 22 Hurricanes (6 of AdA GC IV/40 and 16 from RAF of which 10 are recent reinforcements) raid the Alor Setar beachhead. A vicious air battle develops where 4 Marylands, 7 Blenheim and 8 Hurricanes are lost to the cost of 6 Ki-27, 5 Ki-43 and 3 A6M2s for the Japanese. The bombing is only moderately effective and another British counter attack delivered at dusk fails to dislodge Japanese troops.

Meanwhile, during the night Adm. Somerville has ordered to strengthen sea-interdiction in the Malacca strait by adding HMS Frobisher and Hawkins to the Delhi-Danae group. Both elderly heavy cruisers join the “Malacca Strait Squadron” as it retires south after its night sweep. Learning the failure of KL-MNIL morning air attack to stop Japanese force to bring reinforcements to both beach heads, the “Malacca Strait Squadron” commanding officer (RADM Crace) orders his ships, which were south of Penang, to turn back north by 1120. A first attack by IJN planes at 1415 is easily foiled by AA fire and Hunt-class DDs claim one Japanese bomber. Attackers were 12 B5N1 making horizontal bombing attack. Those planes were probably intended to bomb Penang and have been diverted to attack the RN squadron when it was detected by a C5M2 reconnaissance plane. Despite a call from Portal himself to the ML-KNIL staff asking for a fighter cover from Mendan based B-339 Buffaloes, Japanese air superiority was total. By 1650, as the squadron was racing toward the Alor Setar beachhead it is attacked first by 17 D3A1. In spite of wild manoeuvring, and smoke made by escort destroyers, Japanese planes are able to hit five of the eight ships.

Frobisher is hit by 1 x 550lbs bomb at the fore funnel level and another one the quarterdeck at the “Y” 7.5in mounting. A third bomb near misses the ship, exploding near the port side at the after turbine room level. Slowed to 10 knots with a  port list and with fires raging on the aft part of the ship, she turns south.
Delhi is hit by two 550lbs bombs one penetrating the front turbine room and the other detonating the after 6in magazine. This last dooms the ship, which is seen sinking by the stern by 1705. Danae is hit by one 130lb bomb just before the bridge, killing or wounding most of ship’s officers present. Both 6in bow gun crews are killed or wounded, but the gins themselves are quickly repairable. Some minutes later the ship is hit again another 130lbs bomb amidships and a 550lb bomb explodes in the water, causing leaks and some shock damage. 
Cattistock, a Hunt-class DE, hit by 1 x 550lb bomb amidship, is stopped dead her machinery destroyed. After an attempt by HMS Garth to tow her she is scuttled by 1750. Holderness, another Hunt, is hit by 1 x 130lb bomb on the after 4in mounting, wrecking it.

By 1805, another Japanese formation is sighted, this time with 5 D3A1 and 9 B5N1. However, as Japanese planes are preparing to attack, they are jumped by 4 RAF Hurricane IIs which are able to down 3 torpedo-bombers and 2 D3A1 but lose one of theirs to very aggressive D3A1s. Five of the surviving B5N1s are able to deliver a coordinated torpedo attack against the damaged HMS Frobisher. The old cruiser is hit by one aerial torpedo abreast the bridge, another abreast the aft 7.5" gun, and at least three more bombs. With all power lost, the ship is obviously doomed. She is abandoned by 2050, sinking soon after.
CA HMS Frobisher sunk by IJNAF DB and TB
CL Delhi sunk by IJNAF DB
CL Danae slight damage from bomb
DE Cattistock scuttled after bomb damage

A fully enraged and coldly calculating RADM Crace reforms his force and heads north at full power. His flagship (Hawkins) reaches 29 knots. Between 2200 and 0100 he destroys a four-coaster Japanese convoy, and carries out a severe bombardment of the Japanese beaches, causing heavy IJA casualties and using three quarters of Hawkin's 7.5" ammunition (leaving his heavy gun crews in a state of collapse). He then disengages and moves south at speed to escape the inevitable Japanese dawn attacks by chasing the morning thunderstorms close to the coast. This tactic is successful and his force evades Japanese searches.

As Spitfire PR planes have taken pictures of large Japanese troop concentrations south of Singora, 18 Moulmein based Wellingtons belonging to 40 and 104 SQNs attack the Hat Yai railway junction. This daylight raid was supposed to be coordinated with the light bomber one on the Alor Setar beachhead. However, bad weather having prevented Wellingtons to take-off in time, they arrive over their target by 1730 and are greeted by 12 A6M2 fighters. Five RAF bombers are destroyed and seven other very seriously damaged (3 are obliged to crashland before reaching back Moulmein). However Wellington tail gunners claim 4 Japanese fighters.

By the end of the day a special meeting is held in Singapore to review the situation with the presence of Lord Gort (Gort, whose plane has landed in the afternoon had come actually from India to participate to an American, British, Commonwealth, Dutch, French conference called for the 18th). General Sir Archibald Wavell asks Adm. Somerville to use at best naval assets to relieve the pressure on Commonwealth forces in Kedah. Somerville, who is ignoring Churchill's pressure to engage the Japanese squadron supporting the Miri landing, attack their base in the Pescadores, attack Bangkok and relieve Tourane acknowledges that naval actions are needed. He also notes that with the US Pacific Fleet all but destroyed, his primary strategic instructions remain and are inviolable: he is not to risk the destruction of his fleet under any circumstances, and this includes by frittering. He states to the meeting that he has told Churchill that he will not accept ant instructions from him which violate that primary directive (itself from Churchill, but only countersigned - it is a standing instruction from the Lords of the Admiralty and one ingrained at the cellular level since the Dutch Wars), as he is now in the position Jellicoe held at Jutland. He can lose the entire war in the east in one afternoon.

As the previous Singora naval bombardment seemed to have given good results he proposes to repeat the operation and, in the same time, to try to interdict Japanese naval communications between Borneo and Hainan. He notes that reconnaissance has shown a mine-trap off Kuching Bay, and that Kondo is keeping a respectful distance, obviously waiting for the rest of the Combined Fleet. 

He proposes to combine the fast French cruisers with HMS Enterprise and Emerald (the fastest RN cruisers) to form a strong raiding group, able to attack the Japanese amphibious force by night and to retire before daylight. Considering the “Malacca strait squadron” losses no new daylight action is possible without strong air cover. The RAF local commander agrees to send the Kuantan based Beaufighters Ics to protect another sea-interdiction attempt.

Indochina:
In northern Tonkin French and local forces are regrouping around Thai Nguyen. Evacuation of Lang Son had been successfully implemented with heavy air support from AVG fighters and what is left of the French Bomber force. However 4 P-40s have been lost, two to AA fire (or possibly their own bomb fragments), one in air combat and one in a landing accident. One of the new "German radial engined fighter" (actually a pre-production Ki-44) is claimed by the AVG top scorer, Robert H. Neale of the 1st squadron ("Adam and Eve").
In Annam, French and Japanese forces clashes mercilessly 5 km north of Ninh Hoa on the coastal road. GBMS tank Companies, helped by their organic mechanized infantry and remnants of the 3 "provisional" battalions are able to stop first and then to drive back the Japanese column toward Tuy Hoa. However, in the process, no less than 11 SAV-41 tanks are lost to Japanese tank attack squads. By the end of the day, GBMS elements are repeatedly bombed and strafed by IJNAF and IJAAF planes operating with complete local air superiority. However, one Ki-27 and 2 Ki-36 are downed by 0.50in mg fire. The old "imperial city" of Hue is again bombed by Tourane based Ki-30 with loss of civilian life.

In Cambodia, the 7th Japanese infantry division try to storm the town of Poutishat as an attempt to by pass the place through the road running on the Tonle Sap shore has been foiled by French gunboats . The Argus is however damaged by 100mm shells from Japanese field artillery. On the Tonle Sap north shore, French and local forces, helped by one GBMS tank Coy are preparing the defence of Kompang Thum. The Japanese and Thai column which has penetrated Cambodia from north is stopped at Rovieng Tbong.
In Cochinchina, Saigon is raided twice and IJNAF D3A1 dive bombers are setting the harbour docks ablaze. Bien Hoa is also raided and the bridge on the Dong Nai River destroyed.
During the day, the new High Commissioner, Jean Sainteny meets first S.M. Bao Daï (formally "Emperror of Annam"), representatives of the CaoDaist cult and of the newly legalized local trade-unions. In the evening Sainteny delivers a speech on radio-Saigon (in French and in Vietnamese) calling for the union of all Vietnamese patriotic forces to create a national defence government acting in coordination with French authorities. He formally pledges French government will to grant Vietnam Home Rule once this government established.

Chungking (China):
A conference is held with Amrecian, British, Chinese, and French representatives. US representatives are Gen. George H. Brett and General John A. Magruder. The French delegation (actually the CinCof the Tonkin division) asks for rapid deployment of at least two Chinese division (each roughly equivalent to an infantry brigade in numbers) in the Thai Nguyen area through the Kunming-Hanoi railroad. This demand is strongly supported by the two US generals. Chinese officals are nevertheless reluctant to commit troops in Tonkin, fearing the Japanese forces could resume an offensive against Kunming and Chungking.

Washington:
The US Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull meets with the Soviet Ambassador, Mr. Maxim Litvinov. The Soviet Ambassador makes clear that any negotiation between his country and the USA on a possible support given in the current war against Japan is conditional to the abrogation of trade restrictions implemented after the Soviet-Finnish war of winter 1939-1940 and formal recognition by United States of current Soviet borders in Europe. Cordell Hull hints that progress on the first point "could be made" (meaning it would be very difficult) but that the second one "would be more difficult to settle" (meaning that the demand was impossible). Still both men agree to propose an official visit to Moscow of a US delegation led by Harry Hopkins and Averell Harriman to take place "before the end of January 1942". A Soviet delegation is to come to Washington in February 1942. 

Hull reports personally to Roosevelt that Russian behaviour is even worse than German behaviour in 1938-39. They insist on keeping their gains from their Alliance with Hitler, apparently want Finland as well, demand recognition of these gains while nakedly desiring even more, as well as massive economic bribes. Hull notes privately to Roosevelt that the discussion reveals that the USSR is a genuine Ally of Hitler, only differing in that their territorial covetousness is even worse.
 
DECEMBER 18th

Bay of Biscay:
The Singapore resupply fast convoy, delayed by machinery troubles on one of the freighter, is shadowed by I/KG 40 Fw 200C-3s from Bordeaux-Merignac. At 1105, Condor SG+KS is downed by two Sea-Hurricanes of 801SQN from HMS Argus. However, the I/KG 40 is nothing if not persistent. Early in the afternoon another Condor began to shadow the convoy, to be dispatched at 1550 by the Argus's Combat Air Patrol. However, this time, one Sea-Hurricane is downed by the Fw 200 return fire. By 1645 HMS Hermione type 279 radar detects an incoming raid. The German formation is composed of 12 Do-217 E1 belonging to the II/KG 40 and 19 He-111 H6 torpedo-bombers from I/KG 26 and III/KG 26. Both Argus and Furious launch 10 Sea-Hurricanes and 16 Fulmars. The formers climb to intercept faster Dornier bombers as slower Fulmars go for the low-flying He-111. As the air battle develops some FAA fighters go after their quarries even in the Fleet AA defence zone. One 807 SQN Fulmar is destroyed by "friendly" fire and another by He-111 defensive armament. Sea-Hurricanes claim 5 Dorniers downed and 4 more damaged and Fulmars 9 He-111 destroyed. One other torpedo-bomber is destroyed by AA fire. Only five Heinkels are able to reach a launching position but Strasbourg has to turn hard to dodge two torpedoes.

Algiers
French civilian pilots (seconded from Air-France and Air-Union companies) helped by young pilots (including Yugoslavs, Poles and Belgians) which have completed their OTU training began flying 50 Hawk-81 and 20 Martin Marylands to the Far-East, through intermediate stops at Benghazi, Cairo, Habbanyah a.s.o...The whole operation is under command of Ltn-Col. Lionel de Marmier (a former fighter pilot who fought in both WWI and II, downing 6 enemy planes in the first war and 3 in the second and who had joined the Aeropostale company between the wars), who commands "Lignes Aériennes Militaires" (Military Air Lines or the French equivalent of the Military Air Transportation Service). having seen RAF 'Hurribombers' in action, Hawk-81 fighters have been modified by the Algiers workshops to carry a 275lbs bomb load under a belly shackle and 4 light bombs or 2 MACs small bomb container units under wings. One lesson learned is that light bombers are relatively ineffective in a situation where the enemy can exert air-superiority. The lesson learned from the RAF is that fighter-bombers are nearly as effective in ground attack and can defend themselves. Marylands are expected to be used as fast reconnaissance planes and long-range fighters.

Aegean:
Afetr receiving and urgent Admiralty signal, the Aegean Squadron force "D" (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe) made of 6 DDs (Hunt class - Type 2) Avon Vale, Blankney, Eridge, Croome, Farndale and Grove leave Rhodes to go to Port Said to prepare joining Force "Z" in Singapore. This flotilla is intended to boost RN force in the Malacca Strait. Cdr Jellicoe's force is to be joined by AA sloops Egret, Black Swan and Ibis and AA auxiliary vessel Tynwald (a merchant ship converted to an AA cruiser), before transiting the Suez Canal. The current Aegean Squadron Commander, Rear-Adm. P. Vian has received meanwhile confirmation that 8 other Hunt-2 class ships are to leave GB to strengthen his force (HMS Beaufort, Calpe, Chiddingfold, Dalverton, Puckeridge, Silverton, Southwold and Wheatland).

In the same fast minelayers HMS Abdiel and MN Emile Bertin leave Rhodes for Benghazi where a major RAF depot is based. Both fast ships are to load some reserve P-40 and Hurricane fighters, parts and ammunition. Sailing at 30kts, with stops at Port-Said, Djibouti and Colombo, they are expected to reach Singapore by December 25th (if they can use the Malacca Strait) and from there to dash to Saigon.

Cairo-West
RAF ferry crews (including Greek AF pilots and crews which have completed their advanced training at Habbanyah base in Iraq) continue the movement of 100 Hurricanes and 40 Blenheim to the Far-East.

South China Sea/Borneo
Early in the morning, ML-KNIL bombers of the 2-VLG-I attack unescorted (Brewster Buffalo fighters were not ready after their damage of the previous day fight) Japanese ships at Miri from Samarinda, damaging one freighter but losing 3 of the 6 Martin WH-3s involved to Zuiho and Shoho A5M4 fighters which are cycling through the airstrip there (the damaged Junyo's CAG is being used as a reserve). Another raid is launched in the afternoon, the 3 surviving Martin WH-3 involved being escorted by 4 Brewster B-339. Again, the raid is intercepted by carrier-based fighters and by locally based F1M2 floatplanes. 2 Martin bombers and 3 B-339 are lost against one of intercepting A5M4s and one F1M2s. Another freighter is let burning and seaplane tender Sanuki Maru damaged by near misses. However, ML-KNIL forces in Borneo have practically been reduced to nil in 3 raids.
By mid-afternoon, V. Adm. I. Takahashi covering force and surviving freighters leave the Miri roadstead having landed all troops and equipment. Just before midnight, as the force is sailing toward Paracel Islands, French submarine Le Glorieux reaches a firing position and fires four torpedoes at CL Kuma Kuma sights them in time to avoid them.


Malaya/Singapore:
Early in the morning, one of Kuala Lumpur (RAF Subang) based PR Spitfire, makes a complete cover of Japanese airfields in Southern Thailand despite what is described as “atrocious weather”. The pilot doesn’t hesitate to come as low as 1500ft to be able to gain good pictures and to have visual confirmation. He lands back at Subang with less than 10’ flying left in plane tanks. Pictures, which are available by noon, show, besides IJAAF planes, on 2 airfields 31 D3A1 dive-bombers, 22 naval single-engined bombers (B5N2) and 32 "new naval fighter" (A6M2). These pictures are a confirmation that the Japanese command has created a shore based special naval unit dedicated to anti-shipping strikes. The threat such unit, whose proficiency has been well demonstrated by its successes against the “Malacca strait Squadron”, raises to the control of the Malacca Strait is seen as extremely serious and the Admiralty in London is warned that the resupply convoy could well have to be rerouted through the Sunda Strait increasing the journey by at least 3 days). The possibility that Japanese forces could even land on Northern Sumatra can't be discounted.

This possibility is made clear by news reaching Singapore at the same time that Japanese twin-engined bombers (Ki-21) have raided Medan and Pakan Baru, damaging local infrastructures and destroying, in air combat or on the ground 5 B-339s and 2 WH3 bombers. This is however the only significant air operation mounted this day on the Japanese side, as foul weather is considerably restricting flying.

To try to interdict Japanese coastal traffic and reinforcements sent to beach heads near Jitra and Alor Setar,  Cruiser HMAS Canberra, DD Electra and Ambuscade, MTBs n° 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 (52t, 30kt, 4 MG, 2 x 21” torps), MGB 315, 316, 317, 318 (Fairmile, 72t, 26kt, 2 x 2pdr, 8 MG), leaves Singapore by 06h00 am to bolster Crace's batteredd "Malacca Strait Squadron". To provide top cover, Beaufighter Ics of RAF 248 & 253 SQN are to move from Sembawang (Singapore) to Kluang.

As Crace can't reach the operational zone this day, the RAF C.O. authorizes a raid from Coastal Command assets on enemy shipping close to the Alor Setar beachhead. 12 Beauforts of 415 SQN RCAF and 489 SQN RNZAF, escorted by 18 Beaufighters make an anti-shipping sweep by 1245. The raid is relatively unsuccessful because of the very poor weather (two light boats are destroyed by Beaufighters and Beauforts are unable to find their designated targets). However no enemy fighter planes are encountered and the whole force goes back without loss.

If the bad weather restricts air operation on both sides, it is a very good news for British and Commonwealth ground forces. Without any IJAAF and IJNAF intervention they can concentrates on reducing Japanese troops around Alor Setar. In a series of devastating counter-attacks, tank-infantry teams clear the airfield itself of Japanese troops by noon, and other troops landed are pushed toward the shore by a combined force including 120 infantry tanks and troops of the 8th division. The fact that British troops have found the Alor Setar garrison survivors of the initial fight (one Coy of Bahawalpur Rifles) attached to trees and bayonetted to death raises horrified rage in British, Australian and Indian troops alike. By the end of the day, the Alor Setar landing is no more considered as a threat. However, Gen. Percival orders that the defensive position at Gurun, south of Alor Setar and on Gunung Kedah slopes is to be fully prepared and manned against any new contingency.

The fighter situation in Northern Malaysia is however still critical. The RAF C.O. evaluates available assets as:
RAF/RAAF (all squadrons) 36 Hurricanes (21 in flight order) 
AdA GC IV/40: 11 Hurricanes (7 in flight order).
However, AVM Portal rejects any suggestion of moving one of the Spitfire equipped Singapore defence squadrons to Kluang or Butterworth.

News of the Coastal Command raid reach Somerville as Admiral Phillips leaves Johore Strait, his flag on HMS Hood, with MN Dunkerque, CV Formidable, CA Exeter, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, Duquesne and Tourville, CL Perth, Hobart, Sydney, Mauritius, Enterprise, Emerald, Duguay-Trouin, Lamotte-Picquet escorted by DD Encounter, Express, Jupiter, Javelin, Jervis Nubian, Ashanti, Eskimo, Tempête, Mistral, Tornade and Trombe. As the squadron began to turn north one good news reach the Admiral. Through his ships HF/DF sets, a good fix on a pro-Japanese radio emitter is obtained, enabling the British counter-Intelligence force to raid two houses in Johore Baru. After a short fight five men are captured and two other killed, dismantling a Japanese spy-ring which has operated since the beginning of the war.

As the squadron sails North-East, by 17h30 a signal is received from a French GB IV/62 Martin 167 sent over Miri and telling that most Japanese ships have left the harbour. The plane is however unable to find Kondo’s support squadron which is supposed to be still hovering between the Indochina coast and north Borneo. The French bomber has been sent after a RAF Sunderland failed to return from Miri. Phillips then decides to cancel the cruiser night strike planned but to still go on for the planned strike against Singora.

Late in the afternoon a conference reunites Lord Gort, Gen. Wavell, Ltn-Gen Percival, Sir Shelton Thomas, AVM Portal, Ltn-Gen Mordat (CinC ground forces, Indochina), Ltn-Gen Hein ter Poorten (NEI Army), Adm. Helfrich (RNN), Ltn-Col Francis G. Brink US Army. This conference was mostly concerned with establishing guidelines for multi-national cooperation. As Ltn.-Col. Brink was able to cable to State Department, this conference "...showed an immediate need for one supreme head over a combined allied staff for detailed coordination between USA, British, Australia, France and Dutch measures. The logical location for the Allied headquarters would be at Bandung, in Java."

Indochina:
In Tonkin, there is a lull in the fighting. Japanese forces are regrouping before trying to attack the Thai Nguyen defence positions.
In Cambodia, the battle for the Poutishat goes on. The east part is under Japanese control by the end of the day. As Japanese troops are approaching Kompang Thum, north of the Tonle Sape Lake, a motley collection of French planes are attacking them, including some Potez-25 TOE, of which two are damaged beyond repair by ground fire. On the coast, Japanese troops, which have regrouped 5 km south of Tuy Hoa after the previous day counter-attack of GBMS elements try to resume their push toward Ninh Hoa, but are stopped by French tanks and mechanized infantry.
Saigon and Hue are again attacked by Japanese planes, the former by IJN planes and the latter by Ki-30 IJAAF bombers.

Wright Field (Ohio)
At the USAAF request NA-89 plane 003 (the third prototype, built using French funds after London agreed to transfer their project to French account) is tested against current USAAF fighters. Flown thrice in the day by three different test pilots, the Packard V-1650-1 engined fighter displays superiority over P-40E, P-39D and P-38F fighters. Only the XP-47B is able to show some speed superiority over the NA-89, and only above 28,000ft. At any altitude under 25,000ft, the Packard-engined North-American fighter is clearly the best.

Newport News (Virginia)
Escort Aircraft Carrier "Lafayette" (former freighter Mormacland) is handed over to the Marine Nationale. This ship is the first of a class of four "light and slow" aircraft carriers which are to replace two converted Fleet oiler procured first by the French government but retroceded to the USN in October because of the US pressing need for such ships. The second ship, to be called "Bois-Belleau" is to be ready by late February 1942 from the civilian Rio Hudson. Two other freighters, Rio Parana and Rio de Janeiro are to follow before the end of 1942 first semester. All ships can steam at 16,5kts and are to receive an air group of 10 F4F4 and 6 Swordfish. The old biplane is seen by the Aeronavale staff as better suited for these slow and short-decked carriers than its successor, the Albacore or the newer, but much heavier, Grumman TBM.

DECEMBER 19th:

Algiers:
At a "Comité de la Defence Nationale" (National Defence Committee) meeting, Adm. Muselier is appointed head of French Forces in the Pacific area (Commandant Général des Forces du Pacifique). His headquarters will be in Nouméa (French New-Caledonia). soon after the meeting, Gen. de Gaulle leaves Algiers for Washington. General Catroux is appointed head of air force units for Indian Ocean and Far-East, and official French representative to any joint allied command in the Far-East. Admiral Lemonnier orders the Commandant Teste seaplane tender then in Oran to unload US planes to embark the newly reconstituted AT-11 flotilla (18 Northrop N3M seaplane torpedo-bomber) and to join the British convoy bound to Singapore.

Gibraltar:
Late in the day, the Singapore resupply convoy enters Gibraltar harbour for refueling before crossing the Mediterranean. In the same time, 38 Vickers Wellington bombers and 14 Avro Manchester land to Gibraltar, on their way toward the Far-East. Each Manchester is carrying a Vulture engine in the bomb bay.

Aegean:
Aegean Air Force planes (A2F or 3rd Tactical Air Force under Gen. Bouscat command) maintain an offensive posture during the whole day, with FYF P-39Ds particularly active hunting for any ship or boat along Eubea coast. Their work pays off as MAS 503, 512, and 522 are sunk (the US 37mm gun being here particularly effective) as well as the German S-57. Italian minesweepers RD 24 and 37 are sunk by bomb-armed French Hawk-87s (P-40E). In the end of the day, the 3rd TAF has lost 3 H-81 (2 from the RAF and 1 from the AdA), 2 Hawk-87, 1 P-39D, 5 Hurricanes, and 1 P-38 against 5 Bf-109F, 2 Fiat G-50 and 1 Macchi MC-200.

Gen. Kesselring, particularly impressed by Allied air offensive (which he understands as the first stage of a "softening" move preparing an Aegean offensive) asks for a redeployment of occupation troops in Greece, with Werhmacht divisions settling in Eubea and on the east Aegean coast with Italian divisions taking responsibility of Peloponnese.

Indochina:
French and local troops have to retire from Poutishat which falls to the Japanese 7th infantry division by the end of the day. 2 Potez-25TOE are lost attacking Japanese and Thai troops and one Potez 63/11 is written-off after crash landing near Pnomh Penh. In Tonkin, the front is relatively quiet around Thai Nguyen. On the coast, Japanese troops are digging in and GBMS elements have just to suffer relatively ineffective attacks by Ki-51 and Ki-36, one of the latter being destroyed by 0.50 fire.

Philippines:
IJAAF planes, operating from Vigan and Aparri began to bomb US positions around Lingayen. Paracels based IJNAF bombers attack Clark Field and Fort Stotsenburg. In a message sent to Admiral Hart (CinC Pacific Fleet) gen. MacArthur acknowledges the fact that hopes the Pensacola convoy could bring reinforcements to Manila bay are to be abandoned.

Malaysia/Singapore:
During the night 12 Wellesley belonging to RAF 14 SQN attack Dong Muang airfield in company of 5 223 SQN Wellington. Results are limited but Bangkok is under air alert for a full 5h.
Another day of very bad weather over northern Malaya, considerably reducing air activity on both sides. Seven RAAF Hudson (1 & 8 RAAF SQN) try to bomb Japanese airfields under cover of the very bad weather. The read succeed in destroying 3 Ki-51 and 1 ki-27 but one Hudson is lost, hitting a mountain top after the crew got disoriented in a thunderstorm.
Under cover of the night one IJAF infantry regiment supported by tanks attack south from Kangar to try join now badly beleaguered landed forces on the coast. After some initial successes, this attack is strongly counter-attacked by a mix of 8th infantry division and Valentine tanks. Again, Japanese forces resort to suicidally dangerous tactics against tanks too heavily armoured to be defeated by the standard 37mm infantry gun. If the British forces are to lose 7 tanks, attacking Japanese forces are nearly wiped out.
Around Alor Setar, Commonwealth forces are reducing Japanese pockets.

At sea, Crace's Malacca Strait Force, strengthened by HMAS Canberra and other ships, patrols north of Penang, preventing any new Japanese reinforcements to be brought by sea.
Seaplane Tender HMS Albatross and cruiser-minelayer Adventure leave Singapore heading for the Sunda Strait and bound to Nicobar and Andaman islands. Both ships are to help establishing strong defence there.

Phillips Fast Wing (Force “Z”) reaches its extreme north position late in the after noon. Leaving cruisers Exeter, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, Perth, Hobart, Sydney, Mauritius to escort Formidable, a bombardment force with Hood, Dunkerque, Duquesne,Tourville, Duguay-Trouin, Lamotte-Picquet, Emerald and Enterprise, races toward the Thai coast. This force reaches Singora just before midnight and conduct a 45 minutes bombardment under a very violent thunderstorm which is preventing the use of Swordfish planes as night spotters. The bombardment is damaging but not greatly so.

DECEMBER 20th

Philippines:
At dawn, a strong Japanese squadron escorted by Rear Admiral R. Tanaka with CL Jintsu, DDs Kuroshio, Oyashio, Hatsukaze, Natsushio, Hayashio & Amatsukaze and supported by Admiral K. Kubo force with CAs Nachi, Haguro & Myoko, CV Ryujo (25 A5M4s and 18 B5N2s), Seaplane carrier Chitose (12 F1M2s, 8 E13A1s, 4 E8Ns), DD Shiokaze, lands one regiment at Davao. The landing is not opposed. By the end of the day a seaplane base has been established to protect the landing.

Gibraltar:
The Singapore resupply convoy enters the Mediterranean with the escort augmented by 8 Elan-class ASW vessels of the Marine Nationale.

Indochina:
In Cambodia, French forces are pushed east of Poutishat and began to retire toward Kampong Chnang. French Army-cooperation planes try to slow down the Japanese advance and 3 Potez-25 TOE, 2 Potez 63/11 and one Wirraway are lost. North of the Tonle Sap Lake, Japanese and Thai forces are launching a two-pronged attack against Kampong Thum. French gunboats are ordered out of the Tonle Sap and move at Kampong Chnang where they are attacked, without success, by a mixed Thai/Japanese Ki-21 bomber flight. Most bombs land on the civilian city raising fires and panic. Phnom Penh is also attacked by Japanese planes in the afternoon.

In Tonkin, AVG planes attack Japanese communication lines and convoys moving toward Thai Nguyen. The IJAAF reacts in force. The AVG loses 6 Hawk-81 (of which 1 to AA fire) against 4 Ki-27 and 2 Ki-43. On the Annam coast, the situation is quiet as French forces are too weak to attack and Japanese ones, lacking armour and AT weapons, reluctant to renew their offensive.

Malaya/Singapore:
The British 8th infantry division completes the clearing of landed Japanese forces around Alor Setar. At Jitra and Kroh the situation is again quiet.
As the strike squadron retreats toward the main Force, it is attacked by the Thai submarine HMTS Phlai-Chumphon. HMS Hood is near-missed by two torpedoes (her commanding officer handling her like a destroyer) but French MN Duquesne is hit by one torpedo running deep, which blows off her bow forward of “A” turret. The ship is slowed to 15kts. HMS Formidable Hurricanes provide a top cover from dawn as the crippled cruiser, escorted by the light cruiser Lamotte-Piquet sails directly toward Singapore. By noon, Coastal Command Beaufighters assure top-cover duty as the weather deteriorates.

By the end of the day, the first RAF Hurricanes and AdA Hawk-81s began to land at Medan (North Sumatra). However, ferry pilots have some problems landing on a cratered air strip. Of the 21 Hurricanes and 14 Hawk which arrives by dusk, 6 of the former and 3 of the latter are destroyed in landing accidents.

The Alternate Japanese Oof B in Thailand:

IJA
Alternat deployment of IJA forces in Thailand, situation by December 8th, 1941.

Southern Area Army, under the command of Field-Marshal Count Hisaichi Terauchi.

I. 20th Army (Ltn-Gen Yamashita)

5th infantry division (Ltn-Gen Matsui), composed of the 9th Inf. Brigade (11th and 41st rgmts) and the 21st Brigade (21th and 42nd Rgmts).
18th Infantry Division (Ltn-Gen. Mutaguchi) composed of the 23rd Inf. Brigade (55th and 56th rgmts) and the 25th Brigade (114th and 124th Rgmts).
Imperial Guard Division (Ltn-Gen Nishimura) composed of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Rgmts.

3rd Tank Group (or Brigade).
3rd Heavy Field Artillery Brigade.

(The 20th Army is more complete than in OTL because no assault landing has been necessary and the build-up has been done in a more leisurely way. There are now 33 infantry battalions against 28 in OTL).

II. 6th Army (Ltn-Gen Tôji)

23rd Infantry Division (Ltn-Gen Kanji)
7th Infantry Division ((Ltn-Gen Nobory) composed of the 13th Inf. Brigade (25th and 26th rgmts) and the 14th Brigade (27th and 28th Rgmts).

1st Tank Brigade (Ltn-Gen Yasuoka) with only 2 tank regiments (3rd and 4th).
4th Field Artillery Brigade.

(This Army is coming from the Kwantung Army. The two infantry divisions and the tank brigade fought at Khalkhin-Ghôl).

III. 7th Army (Ltn-Gen Jûichi)

33rd Infantry Division 
55th Infantry Division (Ltn-Gen Hanaya)

9th Tank Brigade (Col. Takehi) with only 2 tank regiments (5th and 7th).
5th Field Artillery Brigade.

IJAAF forces in Thailand
Units based in Thailand.
3rd Hikoshidan including
3rd Hikodan with 24 Ki-43 fighters, 40 Ki-48 twin engined light bombers, 15 Ki-30 single-engined light bombers, 23 Ki-51 close support planes.
7th Hikodan with 35 Ki-43 and 6 Ki-27 fighters, and 102 Ki-21 heavy twin-engined bombers.
10th Hikodan with 27 Ki-27 fighters, 22 Ki-21 twin-engined bombers, 24 Ki-30 light single engined bombers, 8 Ki-15 reconnaissance planes.
12th Hikodan with 81 Ki-27 fighters.
15th Dokuritsu Hikotai with 7 Ki-15 and 4 Ki-46 reconnaissance planes.
83rd Dokuritsu Hikotai with 19 Ki-51 close support planes and 12 Ki-36 close support and observation planes.
81st independent Sentai with 9 Ki-15 and 7 Ki-46 reconnaissance planes.
Total: 173 fighters (of which 59 Ki-43), 124 Ki-21 Heavy twin-engined bombers, 40 Ki-48 light twin-engined bombers, 39 Ki-30 light single-engined bombers, 50 Ki-51 close support planes, 12 Ki-36 close support and observation planes, 35 reconnaissance planes of which 11 Ki-46.

Royal Thai Air Force units:
27 Ki-27 fighters, 12 Ki-21 twin-engined heavy bombers, 21 Ki-30 single engined light bombers, 14 Ki-36 close-support and observation planes