-3- (VII) It is believed, but not confirmed that the two aircraft carriers from which the attack against HAWAII was launched were the SORYU and OIUKAKU. They normally carry: SORYU, 12 fighters, 12 torpedo bombers and 18 dive bombers. OIUKAKU, 12 fighters and 36 torpedo bombers and/or dive bombers. The attack therefore probably did not exceed this scale. The torpedo bombers can carry torpedoes or bombs. Air attacks on MANILA could have been made either from FORMOSA or CANTON, more probably the former. Air attacks on SINGAPORE will most probably have been delivered by aircraft based on SOCTRANG. (VIII) The Japanese occupation of THAILAND will, subject to their being able to ship the commodities to JAPAN, assure the supply of some 48,000 tons of rubber per annum and valuable supplies of tin from the provinces South of the KRA Isthmus. This rubber from THAILAND will, together with that from INDO-CHINA, provide JAPAN with all the supplies she needs and allow for some export to FRANCE or GERMANY. The quantity of tin available may be limited by immobilisation of mining machinery. Small but useful quantities of wolfram and zinc are also available. From the Northern provinces, JAPAN will have access to substantial supplies of rice which will provide her with a margin of safety, and also useful supplies of hides. Prior to occupation JAPAN obtained from THAILAND all the rice and hides she asked for, most of the rubber but less than 1/3 of the tin. (IX) OCEAN ISLAND was attacked from the air on 8th and 9th. Serious damage to residency. No other damage reported. Last paragraph received indecypherable. Check requested. |