The Whale Has Wings Vol 3 - Holding the Barrier Read Online Free PDF Page B

Singapore at first light. The Japanese did not seem to be aware that there were fighters based at the field, as at 1100 the radar detected nine G3M Nells approaching from the north. The field was keeping four Sparrowhawks in the air (the Japanese having already shown a distressing tendency to target the RAF's airfields), and four more were scrambled. The result was a catastrophe for the Japanese bombers, all nine being shot down with only two of the defending fighters slightly damaged.
     
    As a result of the attacks in the northwest, it was decided to evacuate all non-essential aircraft from Butterworth;  due to their proximity to the invasion, Kota Bharu and Alor Star were designated emergency fields only, and preparations were made for demolition if the Japanese advanced south.  The Japanese seemed to have been spending the day bringing their aircraft south onto the fields in Siam, as the only other major event was the interception of a flight of six Blenheims, escorted by four Sparrowhawks, out of Butterworth intending to attack the Japanese and to delay their anticipated move towards Jitra. The raid failed to find its targets in the poor weather, and was bounced by Japanese fighters as they returned to their base. Apparently, the fighters were escorts for a formation of Sally bombers, who attacked the airfield even as the returning planes were under attack by twelve Nate fighters. The escorting Sparrowhawks attempted to intercept the fighters, but the Japanese had surprise on their side, and shot down two in the initial engagement. The remaining two Sparrowhawks shot down one Nate before being mobbed and shot down.  Four of the fighters had attacked the Blenhiems, who attempted to fight them off. Two Blenheims were shot down, and one damaged, although they did shoot down one of the attackers. The Japanese bombers also damaged the airfield (although again they were only using light bombs, presumably hoping to preserve the runway for their own use), destroying a Sparrowhawk and a Blenheim on the ground, as well as three training Buffaloes which had not yet been evacuated. The only Japanese bomber casualty was one Sally shot down by the base AA defences
     
    In the Philippines, the Americans were taking stock of their remaining planes. Fortunately for them, a planned strike from Formosa had to be cancelled due to the weather. Indeed the USAAF started to prepare their B-17's for a strike against the Formosan airfields, although with now only 17 planes this was not going to be decisive.
     
    In Hong Kong, the Japanese had started their expected attack with a heavy aerial bombardment, intended to demoralise and weaken the defenders before the actual assault
     
    There was also activity in the Dutch East Indies, as a force of Dutch submarines sortied north. They would base out of Singapore when they returned south, preparations having been made quietly over the last few months to stockpile sufficient supplies for them at the naval base. The Dutch forces in the islands were also on alert, but at the moment, there was no sign of any direct Japanese action against the islands.
     
    In the USA, the President addressed congress, demanding a declaration of war against the Empire of Japan. This was passed by both houses with only one dissenting vote in the Senate. America was still shuddering under the news of the Pearl Harbor attack - although the chance of finding any Japanese ships east of the International Date Line was slim at best, cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles were under their first ever blackout. Prime Minister Churchill was rather more sanguine, as he looked forward to the aid of the USA in the war.
     
    At sea, Admiral Somerville was ordering his submarines to close on the reported enemy positions and to keep track of the fleet assembling off French Indo China. He had already sent a list of additional forces he would like now the Japanese had already attacked to London. Meanwhile a heavy squadron including two