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  So, on that sunny day of June 10th, 1942, the ship was finally ready to be launched. Most of the important peoples in Japan gathered near Nagasaki Harbor to see the ship slide into the beautiful, mirror-like water of the Pacific Ocean facing the city. Amongst them were nobles, Prime Minister Tojo and General Hajime, the Army commander-in-chief, and a throng of other naval officers that had come just for that occasion.

  Ships don’t slide quietly into water. As all the wooden planks and moorings were removed, the Musashi moved into the harbor, followed by the enthusiastic yells of the gathered crowd. The ship was so big that, unplanned by the supposed genius engineers who built it, it created a powerful tsunami almost four feet high.

  The giant wave rolled menacingly until it pounded the shallow harbor, forcing water up the narrow rivers and capsizing boats, even sinking a submarine, moored not far from the ship’s launch. The water even gushed up to street level, pouring into homes and shops. Panicked residents rushed out of their homes, only to be forced back inside. The gathered officers and nobles were unaffected by the event since they were higher up on the pier, but the whole scene gave everyone a sense of how big the new super-battleship was.

  As the Musashi sped toward the harbor’s exit, everyone privy to the minor disaster wondered if it was a sign of its power or a bad omen for the ship’s future.

  After its sea trials, the ship was expected in the Coral Sea in order to help the Imperial Navy crush the Allies there. It certainly would make its mark.

  Northern Thailand

  The Japanese campaign in Burma, June 11th, 1942

  Soldier Ishiro Tanaka basked in the warm sun, sitting on top of the train’s wagons. The scene before him was magnificent. Lush jungle, mountains dotted with greenery, rice fields, and a pleasant, warm summer odor. A breeze also gently rubbed his face, created by the train’s movement. He appreciated it since the typical weather was hot and humid. But from his vantage point and with the wind in his face, he felt good. From a distance, it looked like the rolling wagons bristled with guns. Tanaka was not alone on the roof and neighboring trains since he was only one man in a 16 000 strong division called the 18th Imperial Division.

  The unit, one of Japan’s elite ground units, rolled toward Northern Thailand, where the invasion of British Burma was about to take place. The unit had successfully taken part in the Malaya campaign that culminated in the conquest of the famed Singapore fortress. The Empire now controlled all of French Indo-China, Thailand, Malaya, and the Dutch East Indies.

  Japan was, by June 1942, flush with resources and also with success. So much so that its ambition had grown tenfold, and now the Imperial Army wanted to have a go at Southern China and India. Ishiro didn’t really care where high command sent him along with the Division. In fact, it did not matter to him one bit as long as he was allowed to continue to fight and live the soldier’s life he loved so much. He’d known little else since he enrolled in the armed forces a while back in the 1930s.

  Before the Second World War broke out, Burma was part of the British Empire, having been progressively occupied and annexed following three Anglo-Burmese wars in the 19th century. Under British rule, substantial economic development occurred, especially in the oil industry around the Rangoon area. It was thus an essential part for the Allies, especially after the loss of the Middle East and the Dutch East Indies oil.

  Lieutenant General Thomas Hutton, the commander of Burma Army with its headquarters in Rangoon, only had the 17th Indian Infantry Division and 1st Burma Division to defend the country. It was a ridiculous force with which to hold an enormous expanse covered in jungles and rough terrain. The British had not sent anything else in the theater, as they were busy enough rebuilding after their disaster in the United Kingdom. It was expected, in time, that the Indian Army would shoulder much of the load in the theater. The big country had a decent industrial infrastructure and was gearing up for war. But in June 1942, none of that mattered to the Allied commander. He would have to fight the Japanese forces with what he had.

  Facing the weak Allied forces was Japan’s might. The country started the war primarily to obtain raw materials, especially oil, from European (mainly Dutch) possessions in Southeast Asia, which were weakly defended because of the war in Europe. Their plans for a campaign in Burma appeared on their agenda because of the country’s own natural resources (which included some oil from fields around Yenangyaung near Rangoon) and minerals such as cobalt and large surpluses of rice). The Imperial Army was also flush from its incredible victories in the Dutch East Indies and in Malaya in particular. Many in the high command, starting with General Hajime himself, believed that the Japanese forces were vastly superior to the decadent Western Powers. And besides, the divisions used for all the southeast Asian conquests had suddenly become available and without enemies to fight. So why not find new ones?

  An additional reason for the Nipponese leaders to conquer Burma for the Empire was the so-called Burma Road, completed in 1938. It linked Lashio, at the end of a railway from the port of Rangoon, with the Chinese province of Yunnan. This newly constructed link was being used to move aid and munitions to the Chinese Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-Shek, which had been fighting the Japanese for several years. The Japanese naturally wished to cut this link, as they also sought to finalize their conquest of China.

  The Southern Expeditionary Army Group, under the overall command of General Hisaichi Terauchi, was responsible for all military operations in South-East Asia. The Japanese 15th Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Shojiro Iida (headquartered in Bangkok), was assigned to conquer Burma. The army was composed of the 57th, 33rd, and 71st divisions, reinforced by the elite 18th Division and two armored brigades (Type 94 tanks). The campaign was set to start in the last week of June 1942.

  Fleet gathering

  San Diego Harbor, June 12th, 1942

  Map of the San Diego Naval Base

  Before the rise of tensions between the USA and the Japanese Empire, San Diego had been the U.S. Pacific Fleet's home along with the other main navy base at San Pedro, near Los Angeles.

  President Roosevelt's military leaders viewed the Pacific Fleet’s transfer to Pearl Harbor as a deterrent to Japanese aggression. Indeed, they’d believed, the presence of the powerful U.S. Navy some three thousand miles from Japan would make them ponder.

  Not only did it not make Yamamoto hesitate, it instead created a unique opportunity for the Imperial Navy. And then, the Pearl Harbor attack happened, and the Japanese followed up the complete occupation of the Hawaiian Islands. The bold attack swept the only useable base with which the Americans could have started their counter-attack. From nowhere else could it attack the damned Nipponese, as the distances involved were too great and the logistical needs too important. The Jap Grand Admiral followed through with complete occupation of most relevant deepwater ports (or suitable areas to make one) with the conquests of the Gilbert, Samoa, and the other multitudes of Islands now within Japan’s realm.

  The aftermath left the U.S. Navy with only its San Diego and San Pedro Naval base. By any means, the two were powerful instruments of war and were even better to supply war fleets than anything Pearl Harbor or any other Pacific Islands could provide. They just were too far from the action to be of any use. It was only a supply base and from where the Americans could contemplate liberating Oahu and the Hawaiian island chain.

  So, in typical American fashion, they made do with what they had. Two large ports and plenty of ships, with more coming down the line in the construction docks all across the United States of America. They decided to gather all their strength in San Diego Harbor before sailing toward Pearl and reconquering it.

  The newly constituted U.S. Pacific Fleet, under the overall command of Admiral Chester Nimitz and flanked by aggressive Admirals Frank Fletcher and Willia “Bull” Halsey, was not yet the immensely numerous ships gathering it would become later in the war. Still, it was a mighty instrument to wage naval battles.

  Over the las
t two months before June 1942, the U.S. Navy had sent everything that could be spared from the European theater (Atlantic and North Africa) toward San Diego Bay. While not yet up to the Japanese Combined Fleet’s numbers, it would, however, be able to hold its own against Yamamoto’s sailors. It was centered around three main fleet carriers (to japan’s six), namely the USS Wasp, Yorktown, and Hornet. The flattops were followed by five battleships that could also slug it out with the Jap dreadnoughts; the South Dakota, California, Maryland, Colorado, and West Virginia. Five heavy cruisers and over thirty other support ships (light cruisers and destroyers) completed the line-up.

  As he overlooked the harbor’s entrance from his vantage point on the battleship Maryland, Admiral Nimitz could not help but be happy. The French fleet had finally arrived in San Diego. Marshal Petain and General de Gaulles (the two French leaders) promised some reinforcements to the Americans since the Allies were strapped for ships everywhere. And they also wanted to protect what was left of their great nation, French Polynesia. The five ships were great additions to the U.S. Pacific fleet: battleships Lorraine and Bretagne. Both were World War One dreadnoughts that were modernized in the 1930s. Following in their wake as they entered San Diego Bay were three heavy cruisers, the Duquesne, Tourville, and the Foch.

  While without any aircraft carriers, the French fleet nonetheless made an excellent firepower addition to the Pacific Fleet. The Allies were ready to sortie and challenge the Imperial Navy’s might.

  Extract from General MacArthur’s book, Reminiscences, 1964

  The fight for Australia and Churchill’s meddling

  On June 11th, 1942, when it became apparent that the Axis would attack toward Burma, Churchill presented Roosevelt with the thought that the Japanese intended to halt their advance in Australia and, instead, launch an attack on India. He wished the American buildup in the Pacific (Australian Relief fleet) would be transferred to Southeast Asia's British command. Roosevelt was apparently impressed enough to send me a personal message asking my opinion. On June 8th, I sent my outline of the situation to the President:

  The fall of Corregidor and the collapse of resistance in the Philippines, with the impending Japanese offensive in Burma, bring about a new situation. At least five enemy divisions and all the air forces in the Philippines have been released for other missions since the end of May. Japanese troops in Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies are susceptible to being regrouped for an offensive effort elsewhere. Large garrisons will not be required because of the complacency of the native population and the absence of any serious threats from our forces. The Japanese Navy is as yet unchallenged and is disposed for further offensive effort.

  As you know, we are busy fighting the Japs and holding on to dear life in the Owen Stanley Mountain Range to protect Port Moresby and our position in the Coral Sea. Furthermore, credible intelligence reports talk of an impending invasion against Western Australia, probably in the Darwin area. And need I remind you that Japan does not lack troops and has hundreds of thousands of soldiers just in Manchuria, for example, not even considering the other hundreds of thousands already busy fighting the Chinese.

  The series of events releases an enormously dangerous enemy potential in the Western Pacific. That the situation will remain static is most improbable. I am of the opinion that the Japanese will not undertake large operations against India at this time. That area is undoubtedly within the scope of their military ambitions, but it would be strategically advisable for them to defer it until a later date. Or else they may even be tempted to attack Burma and Australia simultaneously. Who knows, they’ve done things that no one thought possible just six months ago.

  On the other hand, the enemy's advance toward the south has been supported by the establishment of a series of bases while his left is covered from the Mandated Islands. He is thus prepared to continue in that direction. Moreover, operations in these waters will permit his naval and air forces from the East to regroup. The direct attack and occupation of New Caledonia, the Fijis, and American Samoa point to a concerted Japanese strategy against Australia. We simply cannot ignore the threat.

  Such is not the case in a movement towards India. The Imperial Army will first have to conquer Burma, which will take some time. The Imperial Navy must thrust into the Indian Ocean without adequate supporting bases, relinquishing the possibilities of concentrating his naval strength in either ocean. The military requirements for a decisive Indian campaign are so heavy that it can not be undertaken until both conditions are met. The Japanese attack on Burma is logical for its resource and because of the Burma Road. On the other hand, India's immensity represents a daunting prospect even for victorious Japan.

  As an alternative, a continuation of the Nipponese southern movement at this time will give added safety for Japan’s eventual move to the west. In view of this situation, I deem it of the utmost importance to provide adequate security for Australia and the Pacific area, thus maintaining a constant frontal defense and a flank threat against further movement to the southward. This should be followed at the earliest possible moment by offensive action. I cannot fail to stress to you, Mr. President, that Pearl Harbor needs to be reconquered as soon as possible. Only then will America be able to project its power in the Pacific theater properly, save Australia and liberate the Japanese-conquered lands.

  As it happened, the Japanese did not just concentrate against India but also continued their drive southward, closing in on eastern Papua, Western Australia, and the Coral Sea with a lot more ships than we could oppose against them.

  They had already occupied Western Papua by late May 1942 and were firmly entrenched at Lae on the northern coast (near New Britain). Their next objective was Port Moresby in New Guinea, which would become their main base of operation for the invasion of Northern Australia, adding to the desperate situation of an attack in Darwin. The whole of the enemy plan had to be checked, or else Australia would be in deep trouble.

  Our forcing of the Japanese blockade near Port Moresby and the subsequent landing of the Australian 1st Division, along with the 6th Marine Battalion and the 4th Artillery Regiment, created some room for maneuver, and the arrival of the Australian relief fleet immensely helped.

  So, I concluded in my message to President Roosevelt that nothing could be spared for a possible transfer to the Indian Ocean. Besides, the presence of a powerful Imperial Navy fleet in Dutch Timor pretty much ruled out any kind of foolish actions in that area.

  Australia was boxed in and stuck in a fight for its life.

  CHAPTER 1

  USS Wahoo

  Brisbane, Australia, June 10th, 1942

  Submarine skipper Jim Cloutier was standing on his boat’s deck, supervising some gun maintenance (the ship was equipped with a 76mm deck gun) when he heard a booming noise from warning klaxons. Then the harbor alarm sirens started to be heard. He first thought it was an enemy attack but soon discovered the reason for the commotion. A large fleet was entering Brisbane’s harbor. “Look, captain!” said Beatie, his deck gunner, who stopped working on his weapon and pointed toward the harbor’s entrance.

  Several large ships were making their final approach into the protected Brisbane area. The Australian relief fleet had arrived. “Finally,” said Cloutier, adding a smile to Beatie. Several other men climbed out of the submarine’s hatch to observe the American vessels’ arrival.

  The much-anticipated fleet was finally in Australia, which meant that the Wahoo would be able to go about its new mission: merchant shipping attack at the heart of the Japanese Empire. The submarine had been ordered to stay in Brisbane until the Americans arrived, for Australia didn’t have a lot of vessels with which to protect itself. Jim wondered what his tiny sub could have done if the Japanese Navy had decided to show itself on the country's eastern coast, but that didn’t matter one bit. The brass in high command had wanted everything available in case of an enemy attack. But apart from a battle in the Coral Sea between the Royal Australian Fleet and a Jap task for
ce, everything else had been pretty quiet.

  The Wahoo’s voyage after Samoa had been pretty uneventful, apart from a few run-ins against Japanese convoys near the New Hebrides and New Caledonia, where they’d hoped to stop to replenish their supplies. In the end, they’d been lucky and stopped at a deserted British station in the northernmost area of the Hebrides and found a sheltered bay where they hid the sub and went ashore. There, they found remnants of a seaplane base and some diesel that they could use for their boat. Fruits and food were plentiful on the beautiful island and helped restore some form of morale to the crew.

  The damned Japs were far and wide across the Pacific, and Cloutier had felt discouraged by the lack of Allied presence. But then they finally got to Australia and were ordered to Brisbane, where a semblance of a naval presence was being gathered to resist the Axis forces. There they’d stayed until that day of June, enjoying some downtime on firm ground.

  Cloutier let all of his men go ashore on leave. They’d deserved it, the last few months had not been easy on them, and besides, they’d sunk two ships, so it wasn’t too shabby.

  As he looked at the outline of one of the American battleships sliding into the harbor, he thought it made for a magnificent scene, as the day’s bright sunshine was outlining it.

  He anticipated his orders to sail would come the very next day, and he was happy to think that the USS Wahoo would be on the prowl soon.

  Strategic Naval dispositions - 1