Operation Downfall
November 3, 1944
(Off the Coast of Trivandrum, India)
The old R Class battleships have been relegated to convoy duty since the war swept into Malaya and southern China. This morning finds the HMS Ramilles sailing with a convoy of 6 AK at a leisurely 10 Kts as the Captain stares at the sighting report from the previous day.
TO: All Commanders, India Command
FROM: India C-In-C
"Sighting of possible Japanese Carrier TF by PBM SW of Columbo yesterday morning. Be on Guard and take all precuations within your best judgement."
FROM: India C-in-C
Passed over for Flag rank, this Captain does not take the warning seriously. At 0700 a Japanese Search Plane flies over the samll convoy and the Captain begins to wonder if perhaps he should put in to Trivandrum's port. He calmly sips his morning tea and contemplates radioing the development to High Command when radar picks up a large formation of planes approaching from the SW.
Bellowing "Battle Stations" at the top of his lungs, the Captain spots what appears to be a an inbound strike of carrier aircraft. "How can that be possible HERE?" he cries out. "Radio---send to all stations in the clear 'HMS Ramilles under attack by Japanese carrier aircraft 10 miles SW of Trivandrum' and try to muster up some fighter cover for us." In a sickening moment he realizes there are NO fighters in Columbo.
The attack that kicks off the last Japanese Offensive of the war is--appropriately enough--headed by Strike Commander Captain Fuchida and the Akagi/Kaga veteran pilots. 8 Zero, 22 Judy Dive Bombers, and 43 Grace TB calmly line up their attacks. The Ramilles doesn't stand chance. While the Judy dive in to split the BB's AA fire, the TB sweep in at wave top level. Within 10 minutes the Battleship rolls over and sinks having taken 6 Bombs and 6 Torpedo hits. She becomes the 13 Battleship or Battlecruiser to be sunk during the war.
Operation Downfall has begun.
Throughout the western side of India distress calls ring out across the sea. Results look good for the initial attacks. The Japanese hit 16 AK and 2 TK with 7 Freighters sinking.
The CV Admirals get their orders for Day 2. Two CTF are to combine and hit Columbo's Port after launching any morning strikes that are needed. The two northern Carrier TF move closer together and keep up the hunt. The CVE TF move towards Columbo as well.
Addu is invaded in the late afternoon and will be taken over in the morning.
The only concern for the operation is that there is ONE Allied unit at Trivandrum. Doesn't make much sense but it is there nonetheless. Two TF will begin unloading 60,000 troops to immediately push this unit out of the town. A pair of Battleships will sweep in and lend bombardment to the landing.
Here is the map:
