1) 12/21-Japanese forces in the strength of one transport TF and one SC TF are spotted moving roughly east. Their destination is assumed to be Palembang. A force containing CVL Zuiho and at least one BB is located to the north.
2) Force Z, reinforced by a Dutch cruiser force, the USS Houston, Marblehead, Boise and USN DDs is ordered to Palembang.
3) 12/22-Ariving off Palembang during the night, FZ does not find enemy. At daybreak, it is attacked by naval strikes from Zuiho and LB Nells from Kuching. Both POW and Repulse suffer close torpedo runs, but the fish, apparently, run too deep. Some internaal damage and buckled hull plates are suffered by both ships, but damage is not deemed serious. Japanese force is located heading towards Jambi. FZ is ordered to intercept.
4) 12/23-Ariving off Jambi slightly past midnight, FZ surprises a Japanese force of 2 BCs, 2 CAs and a division of DDs with CL lead. FZ crosses the Japanese T not once but twice, but luck is not with the Allies.
While the BCs and CAs maneuver to present their broadside to the Allied line, Japanese DDs charge the Allies to deliver a torpedo attack. The Japanese DDs are devastated by Allied fire, leaving virtually all of them damaged and sinking. In exchange, java is struck by 2 torpedoes and Danae by one. Java capsizes.
Kongo opens accurate fire at POW. The first two salvoes straddle the British BB, and the next 3 connect. A heavy shell penetrates deep into the ship causing a catastrophic magazine explosion. POW slows to a dead stop and sinks stern first in the next 15 minutes, all guns still blazing.
Most allied ships are also hit to various extent, Houson and DeRuyter taking the worst punishment. Aside from the DDs, the Japanese line remains largely untouched aside from a few sporatic hits from the CLs and Repulse.
With most of its ships damaged and burning, and with no chance to penetrate the Japanese wall to the transports, FZ retires under fire.
As daylight breaks, FZ is hit by a succession of attacks by LB Nells from Kuching. Dragon, Danae, DeRuyter and Tromp are hit with torpedoes, suffering heavy damage.
"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok
