Operation Dilemma
11
0000 February 1st 1945.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, Gulf of Martapan.
Yamamoto had several things on his mind not the least of which was the re-appearance of Admiral Spruance in the North Mariana Trench.
He was still aboard his Flagship, the USS Indiana, when he was greeted by the Naval bomber squadrons of Ozawa and Genda. The rain made operations slightly more difficult for the bombers who immediately began targetting the lead ship in the enemy fleet.
Naval air patrols also informed Yamamoto of another British Transport fleet heading his way. He had already given the orders for the latest secret operation in the Japanese arsenal to commence.
0100 February 1st 1945.
North China Army Headquarters. Jinghong, China.
The loss of Phitsanulok had been no surprise to Higashikuni, in fact it had been a necessary sacrifice.
Field Marshal Hata led the response to the enemy advance, consisting of nineteen Japanese divisions and ten squadrons. The battle would be over before nightfall and Hata would continue onwards with his seven divisions in an attempt to retake the province.
0500 February 1st 1945.
The North Mariana Trench.
"Welcome aboard Admiral." the captain of the USS Iowa greeted Admiral Spruance.
"Thank you captain. Do you happen to have some dry clothes, I seem to have got my gear a little damp." replied Spruance.
"Of course Admiral, if you would like to follow me to my cabin."
"Actually its my cabin now captain." replied the Admiral as he headed for his latest birth on his latest Flagship.
Ozawa and Genda had made short work of the USS Indiana which had resulted in the crew of the USS Iowa having to fish their Admiral from the hostile seas.
Spruance ordered his fleet south east at full speed to avoid any further damage from the prowling bombers.
1000 February 1st 1945.
North China Army Headquarters. Jinghong, China.
The attack on Phitsanulok had brought out the expected response from the British in Siam.
They had sent reinforcements to aid the defence of the province, which played directly into Higashikuni's hands, as the Dive bombers began the job of destroying the two motorised divisions in the province.
2300 February 1st 1945.
The Skies Above Palau.
"Are you sure this will work?" Mj. General Tanaka asked.
"Chief of Staff Jun devised this plan himself after much thought Major, I am sure everything will be fine." replied Air General Yamashita as he led his pilots towards their waiting Swallow interceptors.
Four British Strategic bomber squadrons had unwittingly made themselves the trial target for the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Japanese Air Force. The results were devastating.
Over the course of three hours of aerial combat over 100 enemy bombers and their escorts fell prey to eight interceptor squadrons. The loss of only 34 aircraft in response could only be considered as a most successful trial run of the new anti-bomber tactics that were to be employed by the Imperial Japanese Air Force.
The concept had been fairly sound. If you cannot win a fight when the odds are even then you alter the odds in your favour, preferably by a considerable margin.
The British bombers had managed to complete their mission. The airfield on Palau was almost useless as a result.
1100 February 2nd 1945.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, Gulf of Martapan.
The appearance of an enemy fleet was not unexpected, Yamamoto even knew what the fleet would contain. His mind was on other matters that were, for the moment, highly classified.
Perhaps it was his fault for not paying close attention to the unfolding battle, but he should be able to allow his subordinates to complete simple tasks by now. The gun fire of the IJN Yamashiro could not really be questioned as she did sink one of the Transport Flotillas, but there would be extra gunnery practice for a large part of BB Division 1 after allowing two completely defenseless Flotillas slip past their blockade.
They were fortunate that these ships had been empty.
A similar problem afflicted BB Division 2 as they also allowed one ship to escape their own surface engagement in the Gaspar Strait. The more modern Light Cruiser, HMS Penelope, was sunk by the Battleship IJN Fuso.
1900 February 3rd 1945.
North China Army Headquarters. Jinghong, China.
Higashikuni had given the orders an hour earlier and timing was extremely important. He did not wish to wait another month for his forces to advance again.
Two infantry divisions had arrived at precisely 1900 hours in Kalewa province. At 1800 hours three of the six divisions tasked with preventing the British controlled troops in Akyab from counter attacking the advancing force had begun their attack. The other three divisions in Arakan joined in an hour later with bomber support not far away.
The attack prevented any move against the two disorganised divisons in Kalewa who would capture what was left of the retreating armoured division to the east.
The initial defence by General Stillwell went very well but he soon became beset by problems not of his own doing. Firstly nine Tactical bomber squadrons arrived overhead, and they were definately not friendly, and secondly his supplies ran out shortly after dawn. His troops defended bravely but had no choice but to surrender after a battle lasting just over twenty four hours.
0000 February 5th 1945.
Industry Offices. Tokyo, Japan.
Production had been going according to plan and the first fruits of that labour began arriving on February 5th.
The first new Convoy Transport ships had begun to arrive which would recover some of the losses sustained thus far.