FROM: VADM.Jisaburo Ozawa, Southern Fleet C-in-C. Cam Ranh Bay.
TO: ADM.Isoroku Yamamoto, Combined Fleet HQ, Kure.
SUBJECT: ASW and Borneo Reports
DATE: Jan 1st, 1942
(1) ASW Efforts
DD Hayashio reports depth charge attack on dutch oceanic SS near Kuching. Reported 3 hits or near misses.
DD Oite reporting 9 hits or near misses on a T Class USN SS near Shortlands. HIJMS Oite out of ASW Ammo ordered to return to Truk.
Enemy Submarine was spotted near Shimonoseki, 40 nm east of Tsushima Fortress, a Hunter Killer Group have been dispatched to chase enemy intruder.
(2) Kuching Op
AMc Wa-3 has sunk by coastal fire when mineswepper Kuching waters.
6 P-35 have attack BATDIV 1 in transit to Hong Kong. 1 enemy fighter bomber was downed by our Flak.
DD Sagiri was torpedoed by dutch SS near Kuching. Heavily damages (38 sys, 88 Flt, 49 Eng, 7 fires) she is heading at cruise to Kuching, only 40nm southwest of her position.
33rd & 34th Const Bn and 15th Cons Coy will be shipped at Samah to be transfered to Kuching (AF and Port absolutely destroyed by our naval gunfire).
3 Destroyers and 2 subchasser will be transfered from Miri-Brunei area to Saigo to support 21st Air Flotilla HQ transit to Kuching.
Kuching have falls in our hands with heavy allied losses (780). Sarawak Force surrender and two minor units fleeing. 79 IJA casualties reported in the assault forces.
XAK INDIA MARU Runs aground shile attempting to unload at Kuching. Damage Report: 11 system, 1 flood and 4 engines.
(3) Others
Kanoya Ku K-1 /C with 9 G4M1 have been deployed at Cagayan. 21st Air Flotilla is landing in this base and will support air naval Ops in South Borneo.
Landings at Jolo. 146th I.R. have landed in this base and tomorrow will be in our hands.
HIJMS Kitakami under heavy ASW escort will departure tomorrow from Davao to Yokosuka drydock.
Following ships out of comission to befin refit works:
DD FUBUKI (SAIGON)
DD USUGUMO (SAIGON)
DD SHIRAYUKI (SAIGON)
DD HATSUYUKI (SAIGON)
DD SHINONOME (PESCADORES)
DD SHIRAKUMO (PESCADORES)
DD MURAKUMO (PESCADORES)
DD URANAMI (PESCADORES)
DMS W-9 (HONG KONG)
DMS W-10(HONG KONG)
DMS W-11(HONG KONG)
DMS W-12(HONG KONG)
DMS W-20(TAKAO)
Long Live to the Emperor !!
END //
