The US Navy carried out the first Naval Offensive of the War when three US aircraft carriers carried out air Raids on Japanese bases in the Marianas Islands. At the same time a convoy reached the islands providing the islands with additional food, munitions and fuel . Two US aircraft carriers were conducting operation off the West Coast of the United States. An American Army Air Force Colonel by the name of Jimmy Doolittle had come up with an idea to strike Japan. It had been approved by the Commander of the Army Air Force, Army Chief of Staff, Secretary of War, Admiral King and most important of all the President of the United States.
Alternate Defense of Guam 1941
- Thread starter chris N
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American Naval Air Power hit the enemy hard and the Japanese were caught off guard. Enemy air and Naval forces took a pounding. Meanwhile Colonel Jimmy Doolittle was having his B-5 placed on the Carriers. Joining them would be a new Light Carrier. The entire task force would have two fleet carriers. 2 heavy cruisers, 2 Brooklyn class light carriers and 2 Atlanta class Light AA cruisers 8 destroyers. Three fleet tankers would accompany them and they would refuel west of Midway. Destination was classified know only to the Commander of the task Force and Colonel Doolittle. Once at sea the Army Air Force Colonel confirmed to his men that the target was the Japanese Capital.
put him in charge of coastal defense of california, make it seem like a very important posistion ( they may raid San Diego next after all
) and leave him there to wither on the vine as the post becomes less important and history leaves him behind as a footnote (like General Whats-his-name who had that job in OTL)The War kept shifting back and forth. The Japanese were finally making some progress in the Philippines but the cost was a lot higher than they had planned on. General Roosevelt had supplies moving out of Manila and into Bataan 24 hours a day Defensive positions which had not existed were coming together.Estimates were that there were now enough supplies in Bataan to allow the army to fight and exist for 4 1/2 months without any rationing. Each day that pasted without the Japanese cutting it off allowed General Roosevelt to increase the amount of supplies over what was used by 5 days.
Guam had been resupplied as had Wake. The Japanese forces in the Marianas Islands had been shaken up. Morale on both Guam and Wake was high.
The Japanese had sent a carrier group to the Marianas but more support was needed in the Southwest Pacific.
Meanwhile another US carrier group was edging closer to Japan by the day. The Admiral had promised the Colonel that he would get his bombers as close to Japan as possible. He was prepared to take a big risk.
Guam had been resupplied as had Wake. The Japanese forces in the Marianas Islands had been shaken up. Morale on both Guam and Wake was high.
The Japanese had sent a carrier group to the Marianas but more support was needed in the Southwest Pacific.
Meanwhile another US carrier group was edging closer to Japan by the day. The Admiral had promised the Colonel that he would get his bombers as close to Japan as possible. He was prepared to take a big risk.
The failure of Germany to declare war on the United States surprised the Japanese . Things were strained between the two. General Tojo was not very popular in Japan. Many were convinced that the Army's pressure to attack the Americans was the biggest mistake.
Below the USS Hornet with B-25s.
Below the USS Hornet with B-25s.
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There was some discussion about sending Admiral Kimmel to Australia to replace General MacArthur and replacing Admiral Kimmel as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet with Admiral Nimitz. General MacArthur would be put in Command of the West Coast Defenses.
The President did not like General MacArthur and agreed to his recall. Admiral Kimmel would no longer be a Admiral but would now hold the rang]k of Vice Admiral. All US forces in the Southwest Pacific would come under his command. Admiral King, who had become the new Chief of Naval operations had discussed the matter with Admiral Nimitz and he had written a letter explaining that it had been decided that he was to replace MacArthur and Admiral Harts command would come under his command. Meanwhile with every day the American Carrier group drew closer to Japan.
The President did not like General MacArthur and agreed to his recall. Admiral Kimmel would no longer be a Admiral but would now hold the rang]k of Vice Admiral. All US forces in the Southwest Pacific would come under his command. Admiral King, who had become the new Chief of Naval operations had discussed the matter with Admiral Nimitz and he had written a letter explaining that it had been decided that he was to replace MacArthur and Admiral Harts command would come under his command. Meanwhile with every day the American Carrier group drew closer to Japan.
The Hornet Carrier Group wa getting closer with every day. The Admiral was well aware that every mile closer he could get the Army pilots would increase their chances of making it home. Then a destroyer Captain reported a Japanese Fishing vessel the next day. The destroyer jammed any radio signal from it. His boarding party found no radio aboard. The Admiral decided to take a big risk and continue on for at least another 24 hours.
Nothing happen to indicate that the Japanese had learned anything so he ordered the force to continue for another 15 hours. This would put the bombers slightly closer than planned. He then ordered Colonel Doolittle to Launch as he needed to get out of there.
Nothing happen to indicate that the Japanese had learned anything so he ordered the force to continue for another 15 hours. This would put the bombers slightly closer than planned. He then ordered Colonel Doolittle to Launch as he needed to get out of there.
Vice Admiral Husband E Kimmel bade farewell to his command of the Pacific Fleet to take the post of Commander of All US forces in the Southwest Pacific. He was informed that in effect he would be replacing General MacArthur. All US Naval Forces in the Philippines and the Netherlands East Indies would come under his Command as well as all US Ground forces. If there was any danger that Bataan or the Philippines might fall Major General Theodore Roosevelt Jr was to be ordered out.
Below Vice Admiral Kimmel Commander in Chief Southwest Pacific
Below Vice Admiral Kimmel Commander in Chief Southwest Pacific
Admiral Kimmel received a war welcome in Australia. Many of the members of the Royal Australian Navy's Senior command had met the Admiral. He also brought a welcome change from MacArthur's act. The Army Commander was enroute to Australia. US troops had been rushed to New Guinea to shore up the defenses there. Already the Australian and Americans were planning on quickly shifting from the defense to the offensive.
Australia was already demanding the return of its divisions from North Africa.
Australia was already demanding the return of its divisions from North Africa.
The USAAF in the Philippines carried out its last bombing Mission against the Japanese. The bombers were to withdraw to the south. Thus they would be able to evacuate personnel to the southern island.
Admiral Hart had already withdrawn the surface fleet from the Philippines and it was operating with the British and Dutch. The Submarines seemed to be having torpedo problems as they were often failing to explode. Still the submarines would operate in the waters or sail to Australia and return with Medical or other supplies..
General Wainwright was informed of the Presidents orders with regard to General Roosevelt but he was not about to remove him while he was doing so much good. Defensive positions were set up and he had managed to move in the bulk of the supplies that were in Manila .
Still the trucks were moving more supplies every day from the City. It was estimated that there might be another week and then the US Philippine Army would be in the Bataan Defensive line. There would be some US-Philippine units that would remain outside and would take to the Hills..
Admiral Hart had already withdrawn the surface fleet from the Philippines and it was operating with the British and Dutch. The Submarines seemed to be having torpedo problems as they were often failing to explode. Still the submarines would operate in the waters or sail to Australia and return with Medical or other supplies..
General Wainwright was informed of the Presidents orders with regard to General Roosevelt but he was not about to remove him while he was doing so much good. Defensive positions were set up and he had managed to move in the bulk of the supplies that were in Manila .
Still the trucks were moving more supplies every day from the City. It was estimated that there might be another week and then the US Philippine Army would be in the Bataan Defensive line. There would be some US-Philippine units that would remain outside and would take to the Hills..
Both Tojo and the Imperial Navy felt the embarrassment of the American's actually bombing the Imperial Capital. The Admiral had taken a big risk in continuing to move closer to Japan before launching the bombers. The result was all of the crews had a better chance to make it to territory not held by the Japanese. Two of the Bombers did end up crash landing in the USSR and it took a lot of effort by the government of the US to get them returned to the US/
Colonel Jimmy Doolittle and his men were instant heros when word of the attack was released.
Colonel Jimmy Doolittle and his men were instant heros when word of the attack was released.
Japanese plans to take Malaysia were stalled. The British Commonwealth forces had used the time to reinforce the defensive positions. The Commonwealth forces had also been equipped with Boyes AT Rifles, 2pdr ATGs and they also had 12 of the American Made Stuart Light tanks.
In the Philippines the Japanese had finally occupied Manila but the Japanese had found that all of the munitions and food had been removed from the city. The Japanese had attempted to attack Bataan but had gotten a surprise from the strong defenses.
In the Philippines the Japanese had finally occupied Manila but the Japanese had found that all of the munitions and food had been removed from the city. The Japanese had attempted to attack Bataan but had gotten a surprise from the strong defenses.
The Japanese conducted a series of offensives in China in an attempt to capture the American B-25 Raiders that had struck the Japanese capital.
Japan was suffering a series of deadlocks. The Americans held Bataan and the entrance to Manila Bay, Most of Luzon was in Japanese hands but it was not a secure hold as the American and Filipino forces were making life difficult for the Imperial Japanese Army. The Americans had blown the bridges and were in secure positions. Life was difficult in Malaya. Once again the Japanese were finding stiff resistance. Elements of the Australian 8th Division had blunted a Japanese drive. In fact the Tank company had ambushed the Japanese near a rubber Plantation scoring a morale raising victory.
Japan was suffering a series of deadlocks. The Americans held Bataan and the entrance to Manila Bay, Most of Luzon was in Japanese hands but it was not a secure hold as the American and Filipino forces were making life difficult for the Imperial Japanese Army. The Americans had blown the bridges and were in secure positions. Life was difficult in Malaya. Once again the Japanese were finding stiff resistance. Elements of the Australian 8th Division had blunted a Japanese drive. In fact the Tank company had ambushed the Japanese near a rubber Plantation scoring a morale raising victory.
Guam appeared to be safe from invasion after the carrier strike by the US Navy on the Japanese held Air bases.
Japanese Carrier units were now about to re-enter the war with supporting a thrust into th Coral Sea. The US Navy had sent the Lexington and the Wasp to help the Australians defend the region.
Japanese Carrier units were now about to re-enter the war with supporting a thrust into th Coral Sea. The US Navy had sent the Lexington and the Wasp to help the Australians defend the region.
The Japanese attempted to take Port Mosby but the US -Australian Navy managed to fight off the invasion in the Battle of the Corral Sea. The Japanese sank the USS Lexington but they in turn lost a carrier and had another damaged. The result was a failure of the Invasion attempt. General Collins commanded a US army Corp that aided the Australians and shifter the balance.
Admiral Kimmel was now working with the Combined Australian-US staff to planning operations regarding New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It was learned that the Japanese were planning on building an air base on Guadalcanal and that this was a threat to allied operations A decision was to Invade the islands using a US Marine Division. A Marine Parachute Battalion would be used to attack a nearby island at the same time.
Japan Had captured some of the Philippines but the US continued to hold Bataan and the islands guarding the entrance to Manila Bay. The US also held the island in the south. Japanese forces had landed on Borneo. There had been a naval engagement between the Anglo-American-Dutch Fleet and the Japanese. the Japanese had lost a Kongo class battleship and the British had lost the Repulse to Japanese Long Lance torpedoes. The Prince of Wales had been damaged,. The Naval Balance had shifted to the Japanese.
Major General George Patton arrived in the South Pacific. He had been pestering General Marshall for a Combat command. The Army Chief of Staff had decided that he had to get Patton out of Washington before he did something that they both would regret.
What arrive on the Chief of Staff desk was a report on General Theodore Roosevelt Jr's health. The General was quite popular with his men and was well loved by them. Unfortunately the weather and the stress were causing his heart problem to become active. The Army Chief of staff sent a coded Message to Lt General Wainwright ordering that General Roosevelt be evacuated by Submarine to Australia. From there he would spend some time in an allied Military Hospital. It was likely that this would be the end of his combat career in the Army.
What arrive on the Chief of Staff desk was a report on General Theodore Roosevelt Jr's health. The General was quite popular with his men and was well loved by them. Unfortunately the weather and the stress were causing his heart problem to become active. The Army Chief of staff sent a coded Message to Lt General Wainwright ordering that General Roosevelt be evacuated by Submarine to Australia. From there he would spend some time in an allied Military Hospital. It was likely that this would be the end of his combat career in the Army.
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