A Rising Sun on Tropical Seas (a story from a Battle at Dawn)

[galveston bay]

With the Allied cruisers, which Ships have radar, I know Boise does, not sure on other ships. Also was Houston's radar installed? She was supposed to have one installed in early December at Cavite, OTL, but the outbreak of the war prevented it.

TTL, the Boise has SC1 radar. The Houston was supposed to get a CXAM radar but it did not arrive TTL in time for the war (that radar set was sent to Brisbane where it is going to be installed on a ship to be determined later by me (I haven't gotten to that yet). The Houston is on her way home after suffering serious damage in the Battle of Albay Bay

British and other Allied ships will have whatever they had historically at this point

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...arriors-of-luzon.409504/page-22#post-14322252

 

[Butchpfd]

Houston did not have radar, I believe.

Correct, but I have seen several references that a set had been sent out for installation, in OTL. I could not remember if, in this TL, it was.

 

[galveston bay]

updated order of battle to include additional aircraft and Admiral Phillips is controlling his naval forces from ashore so he can avoid the entire radio silence issue

 

[galveston bay]

historical map of the historical campaign indicated (map courtesy of wikipedia)

 

[galveston bay]

authors note
The map shows what happened up to the arrival of Wavell on January 30, as well as showing the locations of airfields all of which aside from those on Singapore itself are in Japanese hands and being used by the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)

This link provides an excellent map showing the Singapore coast defenses

http://turnstiletours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/IMG_0961-11.jpg

useful notes on distances
steaming distance Surabaya to Singapore 781 NM (nautical miles)
steaming distance Port Blair to Penang 482 NM
steaming distance Penang then around Sumatra to the Sunda Strait (going around Sumatra by the west, south and then northeast) then to Tjilitjap 2,400 NM
steaming distance Batavia to Singapore 482 NM (555 air miles)
steaming distance Singapore to Madras (destination of evacuation convoys) 1571 NM
steaming distance Ceylon to Batavia 1477 NM
steaming distance Cam Ranh Bay to Palembang 947 NM
air distance Brunei to Batavia 802 air miles
air distance Kuching Airfield (British Borneo) to Batavia 588 air miles

 

[galveston bay]

The Battle of the South China Sea
On February 6, Wavell orders Allied forces to commence Operation Buccaneer, a final effort to evacuate as many troops as possible from Singapore. Admiral Phillips has command of all of the Allied naval forces, while to ensure better coordination, General Chennault is given command of Allied air units assigned to the Singapore airlift as well as Allied land based air combat forces supporting Operation Buccaneer.

February 6
Force Z completes refueling at Port Blair in the Andaman Islands and is joined by the USS Boise, fresh from its participation in the Battle of the Celebes Sea. The American cruiser was requested because of its good anti-aircraft firepower due to the relative weakness of the British ships in the force and the lack of a anti-aircraft cruiser. Force Z, under the command of Rear Admiral Murray, departs just as night falls on a course that will take it toward Penang which has been in Japanese hands since December 18.

At Surubaya the destroyers and fast armed yacht Isabel, fresh from the Celebes Sea and a quick refueling at Darwin join a convoy of 6 small Dutch merchant ships that have just unloaded cargo and are now directed to head for Singapore. The convoy leaves late afternoon of February 6 at 12 knots,

Meanwhile the US 66th Fighter Group takes up shop at Batavia to provide air cover for the airfields and port which are needed by Chennault to carry out the airlift. The B17s of the 7th Bomb Group leave Darwin and set up operations in Java, while the RAF 48th Fighter Group (Hurricane II), recently flown off by the HMS Indomitable, begins covering the RAF bomber field (Hudsons and Blenheims) at Palembang in Sumatra. At Singapore itself a handful of fighters remain but are due to be evacuated soon.

The JAAF meanwhile has moved its light bombers and some of its fighters to Kuala Lumpar, Kluang and Mersing, while keeping its medium bombers at Kota Bhuro and Penang along with a few fighters to defend those fields. The Japanese Naval Air Force 22nd Air Flotilla is still operating from Indochina (Saigon area) and is preparing to move to newly captured fields in recently captured British Borneo. A handful of float planes have been moved to Penag but the planned move of some flying boats to begin patrolling the Bay of Bengal is still days away.

Meanwhile at Cam Ranh Bay in Indochina the Japanese 3rd Fleet has nearly finished assembling and refueling and has orders to sail on February 9.

February 7

Force Z is spotted in the Bay of Bengal by a Japanese float plane that is then shot down. Only a garbled message reaches its base at Penang and the Japanese assume that the British ships are covering yet another reinforcement convoy heading for Singapore. Word is sent to the 22nd Air Flotilla which makes plans for an attack for the following day when the British are closer to Singapore. The scout fails to get word of the British carrier out before it is destroyed by a pair of Fulmar fighters.

The Japanese fail to spot Force E as the Mavis flying boat that passes overhead in the afternoon misses it as it is in a rain squall.

Chennault orders a strike by B17s with the mission of cratering Kota Baru airbase, while 24 Blenheim bombers and 18 Hurricane fighters has the mission of attacking and cratering the airfield at Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile the Japanese launch a heavy attack with Lily and Helen bombers at P1 airfield at Palembang, escorted by Oscar fighters, while the rest of their air strength continues to hammer Singapore aside from 12 Nate fighters that intercept the RAF attack. A total of 21 of the American B17s reach their target (another 7 are forced to abort for mechanical reasons) and inflict heavy damage to the runways, knocking the field out of action for two days. None of the American bombers are intercepted or lost in combat although 1 goes down due to mechanical failure over northern Java. The RAF meets heavy resistance and between the fighting over its own base and over Japanese territory a total of 22 RAF aircraft are lost in the air or on the ground, while JAAF losses total 17 for the entire day including those lost over Singapore to British anti-aircraft fire.

In the South China Sea the American submarine USS Trout manages to sink 2 Japanese transports before being driven off. Japanese personnel losses are relatively light but the cargo losses are annoying.

At 0930 hours, the HMS Repulse and Renown approach to within 20,000 yards of Georgetown, Penang escorted by two destroyers. The carrier Indomitable, along with the Boise and 3 other destroyers are 50 miles off shore with the carrier preparing a strike. Walrus spotter planes, one from each ship, fly over the airfield and port and begin dropping flares. Over the next three hours the two ships expend 75% of their high explosive ammunition leveling the port and wrecking the airfield. As the bombardment ends, a strike of 18 Albacores split into two attack forces bombs targets that look promising that are relatively undamaged as well as destroying the radio station. After recovering their aircraft, by dawn the British are nearly 200 miles away having left the area at the speed of their slowest ship and escape the planned Japanese attack which lacks the needed scouting report as all of the Japanese float planes at Penang are burned out wrecks.

In all the British destroy 23 aircraft, knock both the port and the airfield completely out of action until weeks of repairs are made, and have somewhat offset the British embarrassment of having abandoned intact all of those facilities on December 17. Japanese personnel losses are also heavy as they were completely surprised by the bombardment. However civilian casualties are serious and having already suffered abandonment by the British in December, being shelled by them in February does little to improve the mood of the population regarding the British Empire.

February 8
A strike consisting of 36 Betty bombers fails to find Force Z as it was not were it was expected and bombs Singapore instead as a secondary target. The JAAF in Malaya is mostly grounded due to damage to its airfields, giving both Palembang and Singapore a respite for the day. The American B17s of the 7th Bomb Group strike the Japanese airfield at Klaung and are intercepted by several Oscar fighters, who manage to down 2 of the American bombers at the cost of 4 of their own. Damage to the base is serious but it remains in operation.

Beginning at dusk the first transport planes begin arriving in Singapore to take off civilians, mainly European civilians but some Indian and Chinese as well who are considered important. Aircraft stay on the ground only briefly, adding just a bit of fuel to increase their reserves, before taking off again. Several merchant ships leave the harbor without escort carrying more civilians and make their best speed for the Sunda Strait and Indian Ocean.

At 2300 hours, the Battle of Singapore begins with a massive Japanese artillery barrage and an amphibious assault by 4,000 assault troops from the Japanese 5th and 18th Divisions, overwhelming the few outposts held by the 44th Indian Brigade.

In Batavia, Phillips orders the Ramilies and Royal Sovereign to leave port immediately and make their best speed for Singapore and to not wait for escort or the convoy they were to escort. Rear Admiral Bonham Carter is told that if need be his two aging battleships are expendable if that is what is needed to buy time for the evacuation. Both ships are underway by 0200 hours February 9.

Meanwhile Force E, with 4 US destroyers, 1 US armed yacht, and 6 Dutch merchant ships, arrives in Singapore harbor just before midnight. It has the capacity to take off 5,000 evacuees.

 

[galveston bay]

authors notes: Regarding the map, substitute 44th Indian Brigade for the Australian Brigades, otherwise as indicated except the company positions are actually platoon sized.

map from wikipedia

Royal Sovereign picture from this site
http://www.worldnavalships.com/directory/shipinfo.php?ShipID=80

HMS Repulse came up on a google search to a Japanese blog that looks a little iffy, so I won't link to it

Operation Buccaneer was a planned but cancelled operation to invade Burma by sea in 1943. The presence of the Japanese battle fleet at Singapore, lack of landing craft and the need for naval forces in more critical theaters kept that merely as a hope by Churchill. But its a cool name so using it.

 

[galveston bay]

more tomorrow in between household chores

 

[Driftless]

Not quite Dunkirk, but a worthy analog under great duress.

 

[Athelstane]

It's a tough call, but some of the troops are worth more than the "R's" at this point.

The real loss if one or both is lost - besides the propaganda victory for the IJN, which might be offset by any successful evacuation - is the large number of trained crew who might be lost.

 

[galveston bay]

It's a tough call, but some of the troops are worth more than the "R's" at this point.

The real loss if one or both is lost - besides the propaganda victory for the IJN, which might be offset by any successful evacuation - is the large number of trained crew who might be lost.

after the evacuations from France, Greece and Crete, in the face of enemy air power and painful losses, the RN still believes that

"it takes three years to build a ship; it takes three centuries to build a tradition."

The RN is going to try

 

[Athelstane]

after the evacuations from France, Greece and Crete, in the face of enemy air power and painful losses, the RN still believes that

"it takes three years to build a ship; it takes three centuries to build a tradition."

Which no doubt Admiral Philips had in mind in OTL, too.

But losing a couple of R's - basically only good for convoy escort or shore bombardment at this point - is not the blow that losing Repulse and Prince of Wales would be.

My guess is that there's a good chance Carter will lose at least one. As soon as the Japanese spot one, their instinct and doctrine will be to throw what they have at it.

 

[RyderWest]

Which no doubt Admiral Philips had in mind in OTL, too.

But losing a couple of R's - basically only good for convoy escort or shore bombardment at this point - is not the blow that losing Repulse and Prince of Wales would be.

My guess is that there's a good chance Carter will lose at least one. As soon as the Japanese spot one, their instinct and doctrine will be to throw what they have at it.

More 15 inch shells that can blast the Japanese to hell and less men tanks and trucks can be the difference.

Those air attacks on the airfields are helping keep the skies less full of Japanese aircraft.

 

[sloreck]

No reason the R's can't bombard the Japanese while they are close until it is time for the convoy to leave. Also, while the convoy leaves the R's might just make a diversionary loop to try and keep the Japanese focused on them to give the convoy time to put more miles between itself and Singapore.

 

[RyderWest]

No reason the R's can't bombard the Japanese while they are close until it is time for the convoy to leave. Also, while the convoy leaves the R's might just make a diversionary loop to try and keep the Japanese focused on them to give the convoy time to put more miles between itself and Singapore.

That also means that if the convoy escapes, the IJA probably has let more soliders escape.

 

[Athelstane]

More 15 inch shells that can blast the Japanese to hell and less men tanks and trucks can be the difference.

Those air attacks on the airfields are helping keep the skies less full of Japanese aircraft.

All true.

That said, the R's were unusually vulnerable to air attack, and even their underwater protection was obsolete, as Royal Oak could attest. Their escorts here are pretty limited as well. The Japanese won't need the full Kido Butai to have a good chance of at least mission killing one of them.

Still, I think Wavell is right to take the chance.

 

[galveston bay]

busy holiday weekend so writing taking a back seat to real life

 

[MerryPrankster]

Back from another self-ban for awhile. I've blogged about the first two scenarios you've written, but not this one.

Keep up the good work. Even if I disappear again, know that I'm reading and appreciating.

 

[galveston bay]

working on a sea battle, air battle, another sea battle and land battle all happening at the same time, but progress is being made

 

[galveston bay]

February 9
At Singapore, General Pownall orders the 27th Australian Brigade to move into contact with the Japanese invaders to buy time for the 18th British Division to move into assembly areas for a full scale counterattack. Communications problems are serious however as the heavy Japanese artillery bombardment has severed many communications lines and many times orders have to be delivered by messenger. Meanwhile the Australians and surviving Indian troops fight as best they can under heavy Japanese pressure to buy time, suffering severe losses and the 3 Punjab battalions have all been reduced to scattered survivors by night fall, while the Australian battalions are reduced to weak companies. Only heavy artillery fire by Indian, British and Australian artillery which exhausts most of the ready ammunition supply prevents a Japanese break through. Meanwhile another 8,000 Japanese troops have been brought ashore, along with artillery and some light tanks, and the Japanese launch another serious attack in the early evening that captures Tengah airfield. General Heath is forced to commit the 55th British Brigade to establish an emergency line after the Indians are overrun, and he also has to give up the Navy Base and Causeway without a fight after the Japanese Imperial Guards Division crosses that evening and probes toward them.

During the daylight hours, 15 Blenheim bombers escorted by 8 RAF Hurricanes makes another attack on Kuala Lampur airfield while the Americans send 25 B17s after aborts (out of 31 dispatched) against the former British airfield at Kuching in Borneo. The JAAF slaughters the RAF, shooting down all but 2 Hurricanes and 1 Blenheim, but the strike keeps the JAAF fighters busy that day and reduces the attacks on Singapore by JAAF light bombers. The American strike is met by JANF Zero fighters, and 5 B17s are lost, but the newly acquired base is heavily cratered, effectively knocking it out of action and the strikes forces the JANF to postpone for 48 hours moving up their bombers. A planned JANF strike against Force E is canceled due to lack of fighter escort, and instead the JANF bombers send 65 bombers in a night raid on Singapore harbor that does some damage and slows loading but does not prevent it.

A Japanese Mavis flying boat spots the Royal Sovereign and Ramilies but is shot down by a flight of American P39s before it can get off a message. Meanwhile a British Hudson spots the approaching cruisers and destroyers of the Japanese Scouting Force (Kurita) which at their current course and speed will put them off Singapore within 48 hours. Admiral Phillips persuades Admiral Helfrich to agree to committing Force N to attempt to ambush the Japanese cruiser / destroyer force as it makes its way through the many islands that dot the waters between Borneo, Malaya and Sumatra. The RN heavy cruisers Exeter and Cornwall are detached from convoy duty and sent to join the Anglo-Dutch force and link up with them just before dark.

As battle rages to the north, Force E embarks 5,000 troops from the 8th Australian Division, III Corps, and various RAF and Royal Navy personnel who no longer have a mission and departs Singapore harbor just before midnight for a run through the Straits of Malacca and from there to Madras. As they leave, the British battleships are only a few hours away, while the Force D evacuation convoy a few hours behind it.

Meanwhile Force J, which was carrying the 6th Australian Division, has completed unloading that division at Freemantle (where many of the troops are already being sent on home leave) and is steaming north for the Sunda Strait with orders to take off civilian and other evacuees from Batavia which it will reach on February 15.

February 10, 1941
The Battle of the South China Sea
Allied Forces

Allied bombers – 23 B17E (American), 3 RB17C (American), 8 Hudson (RAAF), 31 Martin B10 (Dutch), 24 Catalina (mix American/Dutch/RAAF/RAF)
Force N (Admiral Doorman)
RN CA Exeter, Cornwall CL Java, Tromp, De Ruyter, RN CL Colombo, Dragon DD Witte de With, Kortenaer, Evertsen, Piet Hein

Japanese Forces
Western Force - 3rd Fleet (Ozawa)
Covering Force (Takahashi) BB Ise, Hyuga, Fuso, Yamashiro, CL Abukuma, Kinu, DD Ashashio, Oshio, Michishio, Arashio, Asagumo, Yamagumo, Natsugumo, Minegumo, Arare, Kasumi,


Scouting Force (Kurita) CA Mogami, Mikuma, Suzuya, Kumano, Tone, CL Natori, DD Shiratsuyu, Murasame, Yudachi, Harusame, Samidare, Umikaze, Yamakaze, Kawakaze, Suzukaze,


22nd Naval Air Flotilla- 80 G3M Nell bombers, 32 G4M Betty bombers, 21 A6M Zero fighters,


Sumatra Invasion Force
CL Yubari, DD Wakatake, Kuretake, Sanae, Sawarabi, Asagao, Yugao, Fuyo, Karukaya
21 transports, 1st Infantry Brigade (reinforced regiment from the 1st Infantry Division), 2 brigades of engineers, extra artillery, antiaircraft, and a company of tanks assigned

Pre Dawn hours February 10
Force N is a few miles east of the Tamblen Islands, having made a high speed run from the area just north of the Sunda Strait after the 2 British 8 inch cruisers link up with it. Doorman has orders to delay the approaching Japanese fleet heading south and if possible intercept and wreck the Japanese transport force if practical. There are several Dutch submarines deployed in the area between the Anambas and Natunas island groups, and at first light the British and Dutch will have aircraft over the area looking for the enemy.

The Japanese Scouting Force is nearly a full day and 250 miles ahead of the Covering force which is 50 miles ahead of the Japanese transport force. Both of those forces are on course and speed to bring them off the coast of Sumatra near Palembang on February 15. The Scouting Force and its commander Kurita have orders to sweep aside any enemy forces and with reports of British battleships in the area to locate them as well. He has several float planes available from the Tone to act as his eyes, plus support from land based flying boats once dawn begins.

The Dutch submarine KXII spots several Japanese warships west of Saddle Island on the main shipping route that connects Singapore to Manila. That message is quickly relayed to Admiral Doorman and all other Allied naval forces. Allied air forces are also ordered to launch strikes at the enemy fleet as soon as possible. Allied air forces prepare their aircraft for a full effort with American B17s, Dutch B10s, Australian Hudsons, and British Blenheims. However, there are no fighters available or with the range to escort them.

Soon after dawn Japanese and Dutch patrol aircraft have spotted and updated the positions of both the Japanese and Anglo-Dutch fleets and shortly after that Japanese and Allied bombers are on their way to their targets.

The Japanese strike first at 0943 hours with 72 level bombers (mix Nell and Betty) and 18 torpedo carrying Betty bombers. Japanese bombing is superb, while the Allies have no fighter cover. The attacks are a series of strikes over an hour, and the light cruisers Colombo and Dragon both suffer a pair of 250 kg bomb hits each, which start serious fires and the bombing and evasive action widely disperses the formation, allowing the Japanese torpedo bombers a clear path to both damaged ships. The two British light cruisers suffer multiple torpedo hits resulting in their sinking with heavy casualties. Allied anti-aircraft gunners splash 5 of Betty torpedo bombers however as well as damaging several of the high level bombers.

Not long after, a 1005 hours, the first of 30 minutes of attacks by Dutch, Australian, British and American bombers begin. The Dutch B10s attempt to glide bomb, are are badly shot up by anti-aircraft fire, with 4 of them crashing into the sea but one crashes into the heavy cruiser Mikuma, starting a severe fire that requires several hours to put out and wipes out her after fire control, several anti-aircraft guns, her aircraft and hanger, and results in nearly 50 dead and many more wounded. The RAF / RAAF bombers come in a medium level, are badly shot up as they fly at 8,000 feet, and 3 Hudson are lost, and the rest are damaged to varying degrees with no hits scored. Soon after the American B17s begin their bombing attack at 12,000 feet, suffering little damage from anti-aircraft fire, but failing to score a single hit or even near miss. However while taking evasive action the heavy cruiser Tone finds an uncharted reef, ripping a nearly 25 foot gash in a hull that floods several compartments and rips open fuel tanks.

Admiral Kurita is forced to detach both of his damaged cruisers along with 3 destroyers (Minegumo, Arare, Kasumi) while Admiral Doorman detachs the destroyer Evertsen to pick up British survivors and return to base. Less than 400 British survivors are picked up from the two lost cruisers however as both capsized soon after being hit.

A planned second Japanese strike is canceled however as they are tasked to provide support to the Army which is under heavy shellfire from 2 British battleships at Singapore.

Follow up scouting missions by Dutch and Japanese aircraft continue to update positions into early afternoon, although occasional rain squalls occasionally hide ships and aircraft from each other. However at 1400 hours the two fleets are approaching each other and begin to accelerate to battle speed.

The Allied fleet is in a line ahead formation, with the the Dutch destroyer Witte de With 3,000 yards in the van ahead of the Dutch cruisers De Ruyter, Java, Tromp, each separated by 1,000 yards, with the Exeter and Cornwall with the same separation, and the remaining two Dutch destroyers trailing behind them. The Japanese have the light cruiser Natori in the lead, with destroyers Shiratsuyu, Murasame, Yudachi,trailing in line ahead behind her, each with 500 yards separation between. They are 2,000 yards ahead of the three heavy cruisers, with the Kumano in the lead, and the Suzaya and Mikuma behind with 1,000 separation. Behind them by 3,000 yards is the destroyer Arashio, Asagumo, Yamagumo, Natsugumo,each separated by 500 yards. The two fleets are roughly 20 miles east of Anabas Island closing on each other at a combined speed of around 60 knots. The Japanese have several float planes in the air and have excellent information on the Allied fleet. Doorman has only the last report from a Dutch PBY two hours ago, and knows the Japanese composition but little else. Both admirals order a hard turn to the east as to the west are islands, reefs and shoals and Admiral Kurita has already lost a ship to those already.

The Natori and its destroyers make the turn early, due to a signaling mistake, putting them 5,000 yards distant from the rest of the Japanese force and forcing them to accelerate to clear the line of fire for the heavy cruisers. Meanwhile the Anglo-Dutch make an immediate turn and accelerate as well. The two British and three Japanese heavy cruisers open fire at 1410 hours at a range of 20,000 yards and for the next hour the heavy cruisers fire away with poor accuracy and considerable haste and to no effect. Meanwhile the Natori and its three destroyers fire off their torpedoes scoring no hits due to haste and the high speed of both forces. Frustrated, Kurita orders his fleet to close the range to 10,000 yards and the two fleets begin to narrow the range almost immediately. By 1530 hours the two fleets are within range of the smaller guns of the destroyers and light cruisers as well as the secondary armament of the heavy cruisers and the firing increases in intensity but still both sides are shooting poorly.

At this point Kurita orders his heavy cruisers to focus on the three leading cruisers, worried that they are approaching torpedo range, and in quick succession beginning at 1545 hours land hits on all three Dutch cruisers, knocking out guns and fire control on all three ships, and starting serious fires. The most serious result is a hit that penetrates the engineering spaces of the De Ruyter, flooding boiler and engine spaces, and causing her to lose power. At the same time a spread of torpedoes from the Japanese cruisers is launched, and the Java and Tromp are lucky to avoid them as they were forced to make radical turns to avoid the De Ruyter, but the Dutch flagship is not so lucky as three torpedoes smash into her and she blows up almost immediately.

As the Japanese heavy cruisers score, so do the British, with 8 inch shells from the Exeter smashing the into the Suzuya, scoring 4 hits that shatter her forward turrets, her aft fire control and a near miss that causes flooding in her bow. She drops out of line soon after. The Dutch cruisers fail to score however, while the Cornwall scores 3 hits on the destroyer Umikaze, blasting away her torpedo mounts and starting a serious fire while two small caliber hits knock out her steering. That ship too is forced to drop out of the fight.

As of 1548 hours Captain Gordon of the Exeter finds himself in tactical command due to seniority and survival. With 3 light cruisers gone, two more damaged, and only two cruisers and three destroyers fit to fight facing a force of three cruisers and 5 destroyers, Gordon orders the fleet to change course to head for a rain squall a short distance away. He intends to lose the Japanese in the rain and poor visibility and then break for the south and home as ammunition is running low.

However in the race for the rain, the Japanese finally are able to get the trailing destroyer division into torpedo range, and they launch every torpedo they have and this time they score, with one torpedo blowing off the stern of the Exeter, while another causes the destroyer Piet Hien to blow up. The Japanese do not get away with loss however as an 8 inch shell blasts apart the bridge of the Kumano, killing Kurita and most of his staff, while several shells from the Witte de With cause flooding on the Natori, forcing her to drop out as she falls to half speed.

Knowing the the Exeter cannot escape, Gordon orders the rest of the fleet to flee. With their commander dead, the Japanese focus on her, and within 30 minutes leave the Exeter a sinking blazing wreck that goes down shortly after 1740 hours along with nearly half her crew. The heroic ship does not go down easily however, as she manages to hits on 2 more Japanese destroyers that leave them burning and with serious casualties and forces them to withdraw.

With night fall approaching, the Japanese request instructions and Ozawa orders them to retire back to the invasion fleet to beef up the screen with the undamaged ships, while those with damage are ordered to Cam Ranh Bay.

At a heavy cost Doorman has managed to neutralize the Japanese Scouting Force and prevent it from interfering with the evacuation of Singapore. But Force N is effectively as wrecked as a fighting force.