Turn Synopsis 20th August 1942 (contd)
War Diary Colombo 20-8-42
At approximately 06:55 a May Day call was received by RN Signals HQ from the transport Nord, she had reported being hit by one torpedo and was going down, most hands had got off ship safely and were heading in the general direction of Male in the Maldives. The absence of any planes suggest a submarine attack.
The Dutch liner, Poelau Telo, also reported seeing torpedo wakes passing near her stern as she was making way to the anchorage at Trivandrum.
Enemy planes were picked up by radar at 09:56 and the CAP, already aloft since earlier in the day was able to intercept an enemy fighter sweep in strength with 33 planes in the air. In a viscous but short encounter 4 A6M2's, later identified as coming from carrier squadrons, were shot down for one of our own Sea Hurricanes.
This initial sweep was followed by a second one at 10:45, this time a weaker CAp lost three planes and only accounted for on enemy aircraft. These morning sweeps were an prelude for a massive carrier launched air raid that was detected at 14:15 approaching from the SW. Over 100 bombers were escorted by 50 enemy fighters, and though our brave fighter pilots did their best to protect our airspace, both the port and the air installations were hit moderately hard, though only light damage was sustained at the harbour. The Cornwall received a second bomb hit suffering negligible damage. Our anti aircraft defence was particularly strong and has been credited with shooting down at least 8 enemy dive bombers. most over the main aerodrome.
The base alert level is still at maximum though reports from our capital ships to the north of the Maldives suggest sightings of enemy submarines and it may be that the enemy carriers give chase. Wellingtons from Dacca have rebased at Madras and ordered to launch an attack over the enemy Task Forces if the opportunity presents itself.
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