Additional material is available for these campaigns. |
Because of the relatively small forces available to the Allies in the Far East their strategy in the event of war had necessarily to be defensive, pending receipt of reinforcements, and all plans were based on the probable Japanese courses of action.
Conferences between United States, British, and Dutch staff officers resulted in the solving of some operational difficulties, but no firm agreement was reached as to a Supreme Commander or as to air and surface command during joint operations. The basic war plans provided for deployment of the United States Asiatic Fleet to the south where it was to join with the British and Dutch, while the Australian and New Zealand Navies concentrated in their home waters. In the planned deployment of forces, particularly of air forces, there was a general tendency underestimate the Japanese strength and to discount the possibility of the simultaneous attack over a large area which actually occurred.
At the beginning of the war the primary objectives of the Japanese were to make Japan self-sufficient by occupation of the rich area to the south, and to establish and hold a defense line surrounding the occupied are and the Japanese Mainland. This program, while simple in outline, was highly complex in execution. Designed to seize the initiative, the initial phase involved a surprise blow by the bulk of the Japanese carrier forces to destroy or paralyze the American Fleet in Hawaiian waters and to sever communications with the United States Asiatic Fleet, and simultaneous invasions of the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies, and Southeast Asia.
other theaters. The following translation of the Japanese War Plans sets forth the general instructions relative to the commencement of hostilities:
The day of opening of operations will be designated X-day and will be determined by Imperial Command.In order to insure surprise and reduce the time enroute during which the invasion forces would be subject to attack, such nearby rendezvous points as Indo-China, the Pescadores Islands, Formosa, Okinawa and Palau were selected as standby areas pending commencement of hostilities. (Appendixes 10 and 11).On X-day initiate a surprise air attack on the Philippines, assault and land on Malaya using air attack as the situation demands. If weather is bad postpone the Philippine landings but execute the Malaya landings so far as possible. After the Malaya landings and air attacks and after the Pearl Harbor strike is completed, activate attacks on Hongkong. If there is a serious attack on Japanese forces prior to X-day, open operations upon receipt of Imperial Command to do so.
The first objective in the attacks on the Philippines was the destruction of the United States Far East Air Force. To provide bases from which the short-ranged Japanese Army aircraft could operate, the initial invasion of Luzon was aimed at Aparri and Batan Island. Four days following the outbreak of hostilities an invasion of Davao and Legaspi was scheduled to be staged from Palau, and ten days later (X+14) landings in Lamon Bay and Lingayen Gulf were scheduled. During the consolidation of the Philippines it was planned to launch successive invasions of Menado, Tarakan, Balikpapan, Banjermasin, Kendari, Makassar, Ambon, Timor and Bali. Simultaneously with the occupation of the Philippines, Malaya and Thailand were to be invaded and Miri and Kuching in British Borneo, valuable because of oil, were also to be occupied.
After capture of Malaya, including Singapore, and the occupation of the Philippines, Borneo, Celebes and Sumatra, it was planned to combine all forces and launch an invasion against Java, the heart of the Dutch Empire. By this time it was expected that the Carrier Striking Force would have completed operations in the Pearl Harbor, Wake and Rabaul areas and it was planned also to employ its overwhelming power to insure quick and complete victory.
Upon completion of these plans the Japanese Army and Navy launched intensive training programs designed to fit each unit for the specific mission assigned therein.
Because of a heavy fog which grounded Japanese planes in Formosa on the morning of 8 December, it appeared that the key operation of the Philippine campaign, the destruction of American air power in the Philippines, would fail and furthermore that, warned by the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United Sates heavy bombers would initiate an attack on the invasion forces massed in Formosa and then withdraw and disperse. Radio intelligence available to the Japanese on the morning of 8 December indicated that such an attack was planned and all air raid precautions, including protection against gas, were put into effect at Formosan bases. However the attack did not develop and at 1015 of the same morning the 21st and 23d Air Flotillas (Navy) were able to launch all available aircraft for the planned attack on United States air bases in Luzon. Since the attack was not initiated until shortly before noon the Japanese were greatly surprised to find the United States heavy bombers as well as most of the fighters still on the ground.
Well briefed, as a result of excellent intelligence obtained by photographic reconnaissance prior to the war, the highly trained Japanese pilots delivered an effective 90-minute assault on aircraft and facilities in the Manila area. By the close of 8 December, half of the heavy bomber force and one third of the fighter strength of the United States Far East Air Force had been destroyed, and of the remaining 17 B-17's, 15 P-35's and 50 P-40's many were heavily damaged. By 10 December all remaining United States Army heavy bombers had been withdrawn to the south. The United States Navy search planes followed on 14 December after also losing half of their strength. The few remaining fighter aircraft were used primarily for aerial reconnaissance leaving the Japanese in complete control of the air over the Philippines. Thus the initial phase of the Japanese offensive was a success and their amphibious forces were free to advance virtually unopposed in the air.
The southward withdrawal of the United States Asiatic Fleet necessitated a complete reorganization of base and communication facilities. Operational headquarters were reestablished in Surabaya in order to be as near as possible to the scene of operations.
Meanwhile the situation in Malaya grew progressively worse and the British Far Eastern Command was forced to leave Singapore for Colombo. In order to coordinate the various American, British, Dutch, and Australian forces operating against the Japanese, the Allies, on 2 January, announced the establishment of a unified command (short title--Abdacom) with General Sir Archibald P. Wavell as Supreme Commander. Faced by a rapidly advancing enemy and hindered by almost unsurmountable language difficulties and differences in national attitudes, the command was never more than a paper organization and actually never functioned as a unified command. In fact each nation retained control of its own forces and employed them in its own interests. The British were primarily concerned with convoying troops for the defense of Malaya, and the Dutch also used cruisers and destroyers for convoying merchant ships. This practice prevented full use of the combat ships for strikes against Japanese amphibious forces which advanced through the Celebes rapidly and at small cost.
Employing paratroops known as the Special Naval Landing Force, the Japanese commenced the Celebes operations by assaulting Menado 11 January and on the same day they also occupied Tarakan on the east coast of Borneo. Balikpapan, Kendari, Macassar, Ambon, Koepang, and Bali were taken in that order, and by the end of February all forces were concentrated for the final push into Java. The movement of Japanese amphibious forces is shown in Appendix 10.
As in the Philippines, Japanese air power was again decisive here. Not only did it make Darwin and Surabaya untenable, but it continually menaced Allied surface forces. In addition the Japanese superiority in the air gave them excellent intelligence of Allied movements and at the same time hindered Allied search operations, largely conducted by the PBY's of Patrol Wing 10.
The opposition to Japanese air power was negligible. With most of its air power destroyed in the Philippines, surviving elements of the United States Army Far East Air Force, operating from makeshift bases in the Dutch Islands, was never able to launch heavy bomber strikes of more than eight to ten planes against the Japanese invasion force. In addition the combined fighter strength of the United States, Britain, Netherlands Indies and Australia was dispersed over such a wide area that it was unable to protect bases and ships or engage actively in offensive operations. The mobile Japanese air forces, manned by experienced pilots and equipped with modern well designed planes, were superior in numbers and performance to any opposition they encountered.
Balikpapan transports at night. However on 3 February they were sighted by land-based planes operating from Kendari and a heavy attack by all available aircraft of the 21st and 23d Air Flotillas resulted the next day. The Marblehead was permanently disabled, the Houston suffered major damage, and the Dutch cruiser De Ruyter was temporarily damaged, making it necessary to cancel the operation.
The invasion of Bali actually occurred on 18 February when the Japanese landed on the southeast coast and seized the airfield, thus exposing the sea area south of Java to air attack. The Allied reaction was immediate but ineffective. On the night of 19-20 February a combined striking force composed of three cruisers and six destroyers attacked a Japanese force of six destroyers and several transports. In a series of short engagements with torpedoes and shellfire, one Allied destroyer was sunk and two cruisers and one destroyer were damaged. The smaller Japanese force lost no ships although one destroyer was moderately damaged and one was so heavily damaged that it had to be towed to Macassar. This marked the first occasion during the campaign in which a Japanese combat ship was damaged to such an extent that it was unable to proceed under its own power. After the engagement the Allied force retired to Surabaya and the Japanese completed the occupation of Bali without major resistance.
On 19 February the Japanese Carrier Striking Force, operating from Staring Bay in Celebes and employing aircraft from four carriers, launched a heavy air attack against shipping and shore facilities at Darwin, Australia. Encountering practically no opposition this strike succeeded in destroying virtually every ship in Darwin in addition to inflicting such severe damage to the airfield and shore installations that immediate evacuation of the town was ordered. The few remaining land-based Australian and American fighters were destroyed, and the reconnaissance seaplanes with their tender were forced to withdraw to the south. On 20 February the Japanese Navy, employing paratroops for the second time, occupied the airfield at Koepang on Timor. Not only did Koepang provide a base from which strikes could be launched against Australia but its occupation also placed the Japanese squarely across the fighter ferry route from Australia to Java.
In the west the danger to Java was equally grave. On 14 February the Japanese Army initiated a surprise paratroop attack on Palembang in southeast Sumatra. Following the initial attack by paratroopers, amphibious forces were landed in large numbers and the fate of Sumatra, which produced half of the oil of the Indies, was sealed. On 15 February, Singapore, the British bastion of defense in the Far East, surrendered unconditionally.
The virtual exhaustion of Allied fighter strength under constant attacks by Japanese aircraft and the Japanese advance to the eastern and western approaches to the Java Sea convinced General Wavell that further defense of Java was useless. Consequently the unified command was dissolved on 25 February, and the Dutch assumed control of the defense of Java. American, British, and Australian Naval forces remained to fight as long as resistance served a useful purpose.
As it was evident that the defense of Java could not be attempted without fighter plane reinforcements, an effort was made to bring in assembled fighters via ship from Australia. After considerable delay due to indecisions incident to the change in high command, the Langley was ordered to sail for Tjilatjap with a cargo of P-40 fighters. During this delay the Japanese had established routine air patrols in the sea area south of Java and the Langley was promptly located and sunk by land-based aircraft from Kendari.
To oppose this final thrust by the Japanese there remained a striking force of 2 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers and 10 destroyers belonging to four different nations and manned by personnel exhausted by constant activity. Never had this force operated as a tactical unit and there was no common set of signals or communication plan. Under such conditions, the Allied striking force supported by only a token air force was doomed to defeat. In the battle of the Java Sea, 27-28 February, the Japanese, while losing no ships, sank two Allied cruisers and three destroyers and ended all threat to their invasion convoys by splitting the remaining Allied force. The latter ships had no alternative but to attempt escape from the Java Sea through the Japanese controlled exits. In this endeavor the three remaining Allied cruisers as well as four destroyers were lost. The escape of the remnants of the Allied Navy from Java waters on 1 March 1942 marked the end of organized resistance to the Japanese occupation of the Southern Resources Area.
The effective employment by the Japanese of amphibious forces and the coordination of air and surface elements including submarines was also indicative of that which was to follow and served notice to the world that in Japan the Allies had a progressive as well as an aggressive foe, well equipped and trained to exploit her initial advantage in military strength.
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the Dutch Indies and British Malaya, rich in oil and other essential materials was completed in an incredibly short time. Never before in military history was so much gained in exchange for so little. With the exception of three destroyers, sunk by Allied submarines, not one Japanese major combat vessel was lost and very few were damaged. Air, ground, and shipping losses were equally insignificant, while the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Australia lost the majority of the sea, land and air forces engaged. April 1942 found the Japanese with their Empire greatly enlarged, their fleet completely intact and the morale of both the military and home fronts sky-high as a result of continuous victory.
But the Japanese could not stand prosperity. Impressed by the apparent weakness of the United States and its Allies and with an inflated estimate of her own offensive power, Japan planned to employ her new found strength for expansion to the eastward. It was this expansion which spread the Japanese force too thin and introduced problems unsolvable with Japan's limited economic and military strength.
Commencing with the Battle of the Coral Sea, a consequence of the first phase of this plan of expansion, Japan suffered a series of irreplaceable losses; she had committed herself to a course of action which served only to hasten her total destruction.
Vice Admiral Shiraichi | Nav No. 7 |
Captain Watanabe | Nav No. 13 |
Captain Fujita | Nav No. 14, 81 |
Captain Takahashi | Nav No. 15 |
Captain Ishihara | Nav No. 17 |
Captain Ihara | Nav No. 68 |
Rear Admiral Shoji | Nav No. 101 |
Captain Sonekawa | Nav No. 77 |
Commander Shibata | Nav No. 88 |
Commander Nomura | Nav No. 116 |
Allied Naval Forces | ||
---|---|---|
United States Asiatic Fleet | ||
Cruisers (2) | ||
Destroyers (13) | ||
Destroyer Squadron 29 | Paul Jones (FF) | |
Destroyer Division 57 | Whipple, Alden, Edwards, Edsall | |
Destroyer Division 58 | Stewart, Parrott, Bulmer, Barker | |
Destroyer Division 50 | Peary, Pope, Ford, Pillsbury | |
Submarines (29) | ||
Submarine Division 29 | Salmon, Skipjack, Saury, Seal, Sargo, Spearfish | |
Submarine Division 22 | Snapper, Sturgeon, Sailfish, Stingray, Sculpin, Swordfish | |
Submarine Division 201 | S-36, S-37, S-39, S-40, S-41 | |
Submarine Division 202 | Seadragon, Searaven, Sealion, Seawolf | |
Submarine Division 203 | Perch, Shark, Pickerel, Tarpon, Porpoise, Permit, Pike | |
Seaplane Tenders (4) | Langley, Childs, Preston, Heron | |
NOTE--6 Motor torpedo boats, plus tenders and other auxiliary craft were also available. | ||
British Naval Forces | ||
Battleships (1) | Prince of Wales | |
Battle Cruisers (1) | Repulse | |
Heavy Cruiser (1) | Exeter | |
Light Cruisers (2) | Dragon, Danae | |
Destroyers (5) | Tenedos, Scout, Jupiter, Electra, Encounter | |
Australian Naval Forces | ||
Light Cruisers (2) | Perth, Hobart | |
Dutch Naval Forces | ||
Cruisers (3) | De Ruyter, Java, Tromp | |
Destroyers (6) | Piet Hein, Van Ghent, Evertsen, Kortenaer, Witte de With, Banckert | |
Submarines (18) | ||
NOTE--Only those ship which actively opposed the Japanese advance are listed. |
Allied Air Forces | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States Far East Air Force | |||||||||||
1 Heavy Bombardment Group | 35 B-17's | ||||||||||
1 Pursuit Group | 90 Operational P-40's | ||||||||||
1 Philippine Pursuit Squadron | 12 P-26's | ||||||||||
1 Observation Squadron | 21 Miscellaneous aircraft | ||||||||||
NOTE--An additional 150 aircraft were on hand but they were not operational due to lack of equipment and spares awaiting shipment from the United States. | |||||||||||
Patrol Wing Ten (Navy) | |||||||||||
Patrol Squadron 101 | 15 planes | ||||||||||
Patrol Squadron 102 | 15 planes | ||||||||||
Patrol Squadron 22 | 12 planes | ||||||||||
NOTE--VP22 did not report until January 1942 | |||||||||||
Netherlands East Indies | |||||||||||
Two hundred aircraft of al types (largely of American manufacture including Brewster and Curtiss fighters, Martin Bombers and Consolidated Patrol planes). The majority of the bombers were based in Sumatra and engaged in the defense of Malaya. | |||||||||||
British Air Forces in Malaya | |||||||||||
The British had a total of 332 aircraft in Malaya divided as follows: | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Australian Air Forces | |||||||||||
The Australian Air Force was composed of about 165 operational planes, the majority of which were Brewster fighters, Lockheed Hudson Bombers and Consolidated Flying Boats. |
Japanee Naval Forces | |
---|---|
Southern Force | |
(Second Fleet) | |
Main Body: | |
Battleship Division 3 (1st section) (2 BB) | Kongo, Haruna |
Cruiser Division 4 (4 CA) | Atago (FF), Takao, Maya, Chokai |
Destroyer Division 3 (4 DD) | |
Philippine Force | |
Northern Force: | |
Cruiser Division 16 (1 CA, 2 CL) | Ashigara (F), Kuma, Nagara |
Destroyer Squadron 5 (1 CL, 12 DD) | Natori, DesDivs 5 and 22 |
Seaplane Carrier Division 11 (1 CVS, 2 AK) | Mizuho, Kamikawi Marlu, Sanyo Maru |
Base Forces 1 and 2 | Transports and auxiliairies (Subchasers, minecraft, gunboats, cable layers and survey ships) |
Mine Division 17 (2 DM) | Itsukushima, Yaeyama |
Southern Force: | |
Cruiser Division 5 (3 CA) | Haguro, Myoko, Nachi |
Carrier Division 4 (2 CVL) | Ryujo, Shoho |
Destroyer Squadron 2 (1 CL, 12 DD) | Jintsu, DesDivs 8, 15, 16, 18 |
Destroyer Division 4 (1 CL, 12 DD) | Naka, DesDivs 2, 4 9, 24 |
Seaplane Carrier Division 11 (1 CVS) | Chitose |
Malaya Force | |
Cruiser Division 7 (4 CA) | Mogami, Mikuma, Suzuya, Kumano |
Destroyer Squadron 3 (1 CL, 12 DD) | Sendai, DesDivs 11, 12, 19, 20 |
Base Force 9 and 11 | Transports and auxiliaries (Subchasers, minecraft, gunboats, cable layers and survey ships) |
Submarine Squadron 4 (1 CL, 2 SS) | Kinu (F), SubDivs 18, 19, 21 |
Submarine Squadron 5 (1 CL, 2 SS) | Yura (F), SubDivs 29, 30 |
Submarine Squadron 6 (1 CL, 2 SS) | Chogei (F), SubDivs 9, 13 |
Carrier Striking Force (First Air FLeet) | |
Carrier Division 1 (2 CV) | Akagi (FF), Kaga |
Carrier Division 2 (2 CV) | Soryu, Hiryu |
Carrier Division 5 (2 CV) | Shokaku, Zuikaku |
Battleship Division 3 (2 BB) (1st Section) | Hiei, Kirishima |
Cruiser Division 8 (2 CA) | Tone, Chikuma |
Destroyer Squadron 1 (1 CL, 9 DD) | Abukuma, DesDivs 7, 17, 27 |
Land-Based Air Force | |
---|---|
(Eleventh Air Fleet) | |
21st Air Flotilla (180 planes) | Formosa |
22d Air Flotilla (117 planes) | Saigon Area |
23d Air Flotilla (180 planes) | Formosa |
NOTE--(1) After completion of the Lingayen Invasion, Destroyer Squadron 5 was detached from the Philippine Force and ordered to report to the Malaya Force for escort duty. (2) After the Philippine Operations, the Philippine Force was redesignated as the East Indies Force which in turn was joined by the Malaya Force for the final thrust at Java. | |
Japanese Army Air Forces | |
Philippines (Fifth Air Army) | 144 planes--fighters, bombers, reconnaissance planes |
Malaya-Burma Operations (Third Air Army) | 447 planes--fighters, bombers, reconnaissance planes |
NOTE--Upon completion of the Philippine Operation, the Fifth Air Army was ordered to the Malaya Theater. | Japanese Army Forces |
Philippines (14th Army) | 16th Division, 48th Division, 2 Tank Regiments, 44 Antiaircraft guns, 6 Artillery Battalions |
Burma and Thailand (15th Army) | 33d Division, 55th Division |
Dutch East Indies (16th Army) | 2d Division, 38th Division, 48th Division, 56th Mixed Infantry Group |
South Seas Detachment | 3 Tank Regiments, 83 Antiaircraft Guns, 5 Artillery Battalions |
Malaya (25th Army) | 5th Division, 18th Division, 4 Tank Regiments, 11 Artillery Battalions, 60 Antiaircraft guns | Malaya (23d Army) | 21st Division, 21st Base Force, 21 Air Base Unit, 48 Antiaircraft guns |
United States Losses | |||
---|---|---|---|
Name of Ship | Location | Date | Agent |
Cruiser (1): | |||
Houston | Off Java | 1 Mar 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Destroyers (5): | |||
Edsall | South of Java | 1 Mar 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Peary | Port Darwin, Australia | 19 Feb 1942 | Carrier aircraft |
Pillsbury | Bali Strait | 1 Mar 1942 | Destroyers |
Pope | Java Sea | 1 Mar 1942 | Carrier aircraft and destroyers |
Stewart | Surabaya, Java | 2 Mar 1942 | Land-based aircraft |
Seaplane Tender (1): | |||
Langley | South of Java | 27 Feb 1942 | Land-based aircraft |
Tanker (1): | |||
Pecos | South of Java | 27 Feb 1942 | Carrier aircraft |
Submarines (4): | |||
Perch | Java Sea | Feb 1942 | [Scuttled] |
S-36 | Makassar Straits | 20 Jan 1942 | [Grounded] |
Sealion | Cavite, P.I. | 10 Dec 1941 | [Scuttled] |
Shark (SS 174) | Molucca Sea | Feb 1942 | |
Minesweepers (4): | |||
Bittern | Cavite, P.I. | 10 Dec 1941 | [Land-based aircraft] |
Finch | Corregidor, P.I. | 10 Apr 1942 | [Land-based aircraft] |
Quail | Corregidor, P.I. | 5 May 1942 | [Artillery] |
Tanager | Corregidor, P.I. | 4 May 1942 | [Artillery] |
Gunboats (3): | |||
Asheville | South of Java | 3 Mar 1942 | [Destroyers] |
Oahu | Corregidor, P.I. | 4 May 1942 | [Artillery] |
Wake | Shanghai, China | 8 Dec 1941 | [Captured] |
British Losses | |||
Battleship (1): | |||
Prince of Wales | Off Malaya | 10 Dec 1941 | Aircraft |
Battle Cruiser (1): | |||
Repulse | Off Malaya | 10 Dec 1941 | Aircraft |
Cruiser (1): | |||
Exeter | Java Sea | 1 Mar 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Destroyers (3): | |||
Electra | Java Sea | 27 Feb 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Encounter | Java Sea | 1 Mar 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Jupiter | Java Sea | 27 Feb 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Australian Losses | |||
Cruiser (1): | |||
Perth | Java Sea | 1 Mar 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Dutch Losses | |||
Cruisers (2): | |||
De Ruyter | Java Sea | 28 Feb 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Java | Java Sea | 28Feb 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Destroyers (6): | |||
Evertsen | Java Sea | 1 Mar 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Kortenaer | Java Sea | 27 Feb 1942 | Cruisers and destroyers |
Piet Hein | Bandoeng Strait | 19 Feb 1942 | Destroyers |
Van Ghent | Banka Island | 13 Feb 1942 | Ran aground |
Witte de With | Surabaya | 28 Feb 1942 | Aircraft |
Banckert | Surabaya | 28 Feb 1942 | Scuttled after damage by bombing |
Japanese Losses | |||
---|---|---|---|
War Ships Sunk and Damaged During Japanese Invasion of Philippines and Dutch East Indies | |||
Sunk | |||
Name of Ship | Location | Date | Agent |
Destroyers (3): | |||
Shinonome | Off Miri | 18 Dec 1941 | Moored mine |
Sagiri | Off Kuching | 24 Dec 1941 | Submarine attack |
Natsushio | Off Macassar | 9 Feb 1942 | Submarine attack |
Damaged | |||
Cruisers (4): | |||
Myoko (Damaged, returned to Sasebo) | Davao | 4 Jan 1942 | Air attack |
Naka (Light damage from strafing) | Vigan | 10 Dec 1941 | Air attack |
Kinu (Slight damage, near miss) | Off Java | 1 Mar 1942 | Air attack |
Kuma (One torpedo struck bow but did not explode) | South of Cebu | 9 Apr 1942 | PT boats |
Minelayer (1): | |||
Yaeyama | Subic Bay | 1 Feb 1942 | Shell hit (dud) |
Seaplane Tender (1): | |||
Chitose (Damage unknown) | Borneo Straits, South of Celebes |
12 Feb 1942 | Air attack |
Destroyers: | |||
Oshio (Damaged, towed to Macassar) | Lombok Strait | 20 Feb 1942 | Night battle |
Suzukaze (No. 1 & 2 crew compt flooded) | Off Kendari | 4 Feb 1942 | Sub attack |
Asagumo (Light damage, steering by hand) | North Surabaya | 27 Feb 1942 | Cruisers |
Asagumo (No. 1 boiler room and engine room flooded) | Banten Bay | 1 Mar 1942 | Cruisers |
Shirayuki (15 cm hit bridge) | Banten Bay | 1 Mar 1942 | Shore gunfire |
Shikiname (Port side damaged) | Banten Bay | 1 Mar 1942 | Shore gunfire |
Japanese Merchant Ship Losses | ||
---|---|---|
Month | No. of ships | Total tonnage |
December 1941 | 8 | 47,740 |
January 1942 | 14 | 62,440 |
February 1942 | 7 | 31,426 |
March 1942 | 15 | 77,816 |
The reduction of the primary foundations of American, British, and Dutch power in Eastern Asia; the occupation of the Southern Areas.
Scope of Occupation.
The Philippines, Guam, Hongkong, British Malaya, Burma, the Bismarcks, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, Timor.
Opening of operations: A sudden assault and landing by the Malaya Advance Force (Senken Heidan) preceded by an air strike. Also an initial air strike on Philippines.
Utilization of the results obtained in the air. Occupation of Malaya and the Philippines by the major portion of the Occupation Forces (Koryaku Heidan).
Elements will immediately invade Thailand by land and sea, and will secure Bangkok and an air base to the South. After the Advance Force (Senken Heidan) departed its rendezvous the procedure will be according to schedule. Before departure aerial operations will be accelerated while the landing of the Main Force will be delayed, and then the landing in force will be made. (*Elements of Navy FB (TN: large air unit) will be diverted from the Philippines Area).
Local forces will intercept them, an air offensive against the pertinent armies will be opened, and otherwise the predetermined plans will be followed.
X-day, the day of the opening of operations, will be determined by Imperial Command.
On X-day we assault and land on Malaya (with an initial air attack depending on the situation) and initiate air attacks on the Philippines. If the weather is bad the Philippines Advance Unit (Senkentai)
After the Malaya landings and air attacks and after the first strike against the United States has been completed, the attacks on Hongkong and Guam will be activated.
If there is a serious attack by the enemy to seize the initiative before X-day:
(X-1) depart rendezvous point; land at Aparri, Vigan, Laoag, Legaspi, and Davao and then occupy Jolo as rapidly as possible. Naval Forces will garrison.
Main force of 14th Army to Lingayen; an element to land on Ramon; occupation of Manila. Cover by force from Third Fleet.
25th Army, 3d Air Army, and Expeditionary Fleet will be nucleus force.
Plan A.
Advance Force will assault and land at Ban Don, Nakon, Singora, Patani, and Kota Bharu and will maintain bases.
Army-Navy Air Forces launch the initial air attack from South French Indo-China against enemy air power, ships, and small craft.
Plan B. (If there is difficulty in assaulting and landing.)
The landing of the Advance Force will be an attempt at raids and landings in small numbers. (Launched from the West coast of French Indo-China). The main force of the Advance Force will begin to land after (X+1).
The adoption of Plan B will be determined by Imperial Headquarters before the departure of the Advance Force from its rendezvous point.
First, a sudden attack will be launched on Miri by an element directly attached to the Southern Army and then Kuching will be occupied; bases will be maintained; Navy Air Force will support the operation.
One Group of 23d Army, and 2d China Fleet as nuclear force.
Annihilate local enemy shipping, assault enemy positions on the Kowloon Peninsula, occupy Hongkong. After completion of the occupation, the group above will be assembled as the group to occupy the Netherlands East Indies.
To occupy Batavia, Bandoeng, Surabaya:
Main Force of 16th Army in vicinity of Batavia; one group diverted to vicinity of Surabaya.
Element of 16th Army to Tarakan, Balikpapan, Bandjoermasin, Ambon, Koepang. (Navy to relieve Tarakan and Abmon as garrison.)
Navy to Manado, Makassar.
Element of 16th Army to strategic areas of Bangka Island, and Palembang.
Elements of 25th Army to land on Madang from West Coast of Malaya, and occupy Achie and then Sabang.
Element of 15th Army (main strength assigned from 25th Army) to South French Indo-China, South Thailand, Victoria Point.
The main force of the 15th Army to the vicinity of Bangkok, one group by land route from French Indo-China, one group from North China abut (X+40). Depending on the arrival of the main force of the 15th Army, an element of the 25th Army will advance to the main force's area.
An element of the 15th Army to occupy Moulmein Base.
Army-Navy cooperation.
In local land operations there will be a consolidated command, depending on circumstances.
Advance unit:
Main Force:
Advance Force:
Main Force:
Southern Army--Combined Fleet, 2d Fleet
Southern Army--Expeditionary Fleet
14th and 16th Armies--Fleet
3d F.B.--Expeditionary Fleet and 22d Air Flotilla
South Seas Detachment--4th Fleet
China Expeditionary Army--China Seas Fleet
23d Army--2d China Fleet
Southern Operations in General
"A" Operation
Philippines Operations
"M" Operation
Malaya Operations
"G" Operation
Nei Operations
"H" Operation
Guam Operations
"G" Operation
British Borneo Operations
"B" Operation
Hongkong Operations
"C" Operation
Bismarck Operations
"R" Operation
Continue control over China Coast and Yangtze River.
Quickly destroy enemy fleet and air power in East Asia.
Occupy and hold strategic points in Southern Area.
Destroy enemy fleet in Hawaii.
Consolidate strength to hold out for a long time.
Destroy enemy will to fight.
Early stages of operations.
First occupy British Borneo and then as quickly as possibly occupy Dutch Borneo, Celebes and Southern Sumatra. The above to be followed by occupation of Molucca Islands and Timor.
Establish air bases in all of the above named places. Utilize air bases for subjugation of Java and then occupy Java. After capture of Singapore, occupy northern Sumatra and then at an opportune time commence operations in Burma. Cut supply routes to China.
Defend the South Seas Islands, patrol, maintain surface communications, capture Wake. At opportune time attack and destroy enemy advanced bases in South Pacific Area. In cooperation with Army capture Guam and then Bismarck Area.
Patrol the area east of the home islands. Make preparations against surprise attacks by enemy. Make reconnaissance of Aleutians and defend Ogasawara. Maintain surface communications. Be on guard against Russia.
Make reconnaissance of American fleet in Hawaii and West Coast areas and by surprise attacks on shipping destroy lines of communications.
Attack enemy fleet in Hawaii and reduce its strength. Thereafter support 4th Fleet operations and assist in capture of Southern Areas.
Support operations in general. Operate as suitable.
Destroy enemy lines of communication in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Search for and attack enemy forces. Destroy enemy advanced bases.
Defend occupied points in Southern Area. Operate patrols, maintain surface communications, search for and destroy enemy shipping in Southern Area, attack and destroy enemy advanced bases on our perimeter.
Defend and patrol points in South Sea Islands and Bismarcks. Maintain surface communications. Search for and attack enemy shipping. Make surprise attacks and destroy enemy bases on our perimeter.
Defend Ogasawara and patrol area to north of those islands and east of home islands. Maintain surface communications. Search for and attack enemy fleet should it appear in the area. Attack and destroy enemy bases in the Aleutians.
Destroy enemy surface communications in Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Support all operations. Operate as required.
Maintain contact with part of Sixth Fleet. Reduce enemy strength by air and submarine attacks. At suitable opportunity assemble major portion of Combined Fleet and destroy enemy.
By movement of Third Fleet, Fourth Fleet, Expeditionary Fleet, air force, and submarine squadrons maintain contact with enemy force and destroy it by concerted attack. The main body of Combined Fleet, depending upon condition and location of American Fleet, will also be used in destruction of British Fleet.
Manila*, Hongkong, Davao, Singapore*, Batavia, Surabaya*, Tarakan, Balkipapan, Mendao, Makassar, Ambon, Penang, Rabaul.
Continue operations against China. Cooperate with the in destruction of United States and British forces in China. Second China Fleet cooperate with Army in capture of Hongkong and destruction of enemy forces there. Maintain surface communications along China coast. Prevent enemy from using China coast. Cooperate with Combined Fleet and Army in operations. (Escort of surface transport and defense of assembly points).
Defend assigned areas. Maintain surface communications in assigned areas. Cooperate with Combined Fleet and China Area Fleet in operations affecting assigned areas.
5 November 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC Combined Fleet |
5 November 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC China Area Fleet |
7 November 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC Combined Fleet |
7 November 1941. | ||
From: | CinC Combined Fleet | |
To: | First Air Fleet |
The Task Force, keeping its movement strictly secret, shall assemble in Hitokappu Bay by 22 November for refueling.
NOTE: (Upon arrival at Hitokappu Bay all ships with a limited cruising range were deck loaded with drums of fuel oil and oil was stowed in all available spaces inside the ships.)
21 November 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC Combined Fleet |
21 November 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC China Area Fleet |
25 November 1941. | ||
From: | CinC Combined Fleet | |
To: | First Air Fleet (Pearl Harbor Attack Force) |
The task force, keeping its movement strictly secret and maintaining close guard against submarines and aircraft will advance into Hawaiian waters, and upon the very opening of hostilities shall attack the main force of the United States Fleet in Hawaii and deal it a mortal blow. The first air raid is planned for the dawn of X-day (exact date to be given by later order).
Upon completion of the air raid, the task force, keeping close coordination and guarding against the enemy's counterattack, shall speedily leave the enemy waters and then return to Japan.
Should the negotiations with the United States prove successful, the task force shall hold itself in readiness forthwith to return and reassemble.
25 November 1941. | ||
From: | CinC Combined Fleet | |
To: | First Air Fleet (Pearl Harbor Attack Force) |
The task force keeping its movement strictly secret, shall leave Hitokappu Bay on the morning of 26th November and advance to 42° N. 170° E. on the afternoon of 3 December and speedily complete refueling.
1 December 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC Combined Fleet CinC China Area Fleet |
1 December 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC Combined Fleet |
Japan under the necessity of her self-preservation, has reached a decision to declare on the United States of America, British Empire, and the Netherlands. Time to start action will be announced later. The CinC Combined Fleet shall, at the start of war direct an attack on the enemy fleet in the Hawaiian area and reduce it to impotency using the First Air Fleet as the nucleus of the attack force.
NOTE: (The above despatch was issued by Admiral Nagano under authority delegated by Imperial Order. The commencement of hostilities was decided by Cabinet Council on 1 December).
2 December 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC Combined Fleet |
2 December 1941. | ||
From: | The Chief of Naval General Staff | |
To: | CinC Combined Fleet |
The hostile action against the United States of America, the British Empire, and the Netherlands shall be commenced on 8 December. Bear in mind that, should it appear certain the Japanese-American negotiations will reach an amicable settlement prior to the commencement of hostile action, all forces of the Combined Fleet are to be ordered to reassemble and return to their bases.
2 December 1941. | ||
From: | CinC Combined Fleet | |
To: | Pearl Harbor Task Force (First Air Fleet) |
Execute attack X 8 December designated as "X" day.
NOTE--(1) The decision to commence hostilities was made by Cabinet Council on 1 December.
(2) On 2 December Imperial General Headquarters issued the order establishing 8 December 1941 as the date on which hostile action was to begin.