Sitrap May 16th 1943 – afternoon
The last few days it’s been all about the enemy carrier force hovering out in the South China Sea – he was bound to try anew and on the 12th he moved east again - an impotent raid was flown against shipping in Vigan, he achieved nothing, just gave his position away. On the 13th he was even closer, obviously preparing for a quick break-through. Finally, on the morning of the 14th he was within range, heading for the strait between Formosa and Batan Island. A raid with 32 SBDs and two TBDs was launched from the southern carrier group against a group of enemy ships identified as BB Hiei and CVLs Zuiho, Chitose and Chiyoda. Unfortunately, there was a foul-up with the escort, the bombers arrived over the enemy task force with no fighter protection and as they were met by 26 Zero fighters this resulted in the loss of 21 SBDs and the two TBDs. Consequently, no hits were claimed by the bombers.
No escorts turned up on the second try of the day, either, this time from the northern carrier group, it consisted of 28 SBDs and 12 TBFs. Bomb hit claims were made on Zuiho, Chiyoda and battleship Hiei. Only six Zeros turned up, one SBD was downed and an Avenger lost to anti-air fire.
More attacks followed through the day as the enemy fighter defense became weaker. PBYs and Devastators flying from Batan Island claimed bomb hits on Zuiho and Chitose, creating fires – one PBY and five TBDs were shot down by Zeros and anti-air.
Following several inconsequential attacks another major raid by SBDs flying from Batan Island with 20 SBDs developed. Only one Zero showed up and Zuiho went down after seven bomb hits. Chiyoda was further damaged, too. A new attack from the southern carrier group resulted in heavy fires on Chitose and two more hits on Hiei. Destroyer Isonami was also damaged.
After that followed needle stings by Batan Island Kingfishers, nine of them together with seven PBYs. More hits on Hiei, followed by an attack by 12 more Kingfishers. The enemy force turned around and fled.
On the morning of the 15th battleship Hiei was found, and attacked, south of Hong Kong by Liberators and Marauders flying from Vigan. Japanese Army Oscars from Hong Kong flying CAP chased the bombers away. Enemy destroyers were also reported in the port of Hong Kong and a third task force heading in a south-westerly direction through the South China Sea. This split-up indicated ships suffering from various degrees of damage. The four allied carriers and most of the heavies that had been part of the ambush were ordered to proceed at highest practicable speed to an assembly point east of Hainan, south of Hong Kong.
That morning started with carrier Yorktown receiving a torpedo hit, courtesy of enemy submarine RO-67. It had managed to infiltrate the large task force undetected. Good damage control quickly got the situation under control, Yorktown could continue as planned. After that, two Kates suddenly appeared but was chased away by the CAP, one was shot down while fleeing. These were probably just scouting as immediately after 26 Lilys and 32 Oscars popped up. Nine Wildcats were up, but this was not enough to stop all the bombers, some got through and scored four hits on Yorktown and one on Hornet.
At the same time four B-25s flying from Penghu, The Pescadores, found two enemy destroyers heading south from Hong Kong. One was damaged by bomb hits. This generated a major strike from the USN carriers, 42 SDBs escorted by 33 Wildcats found them at approximately the same place and damaged both. Of the enemy CAP of seven Zeros and three Oscars, four were destroyed, One Wildcat was lost. 10 Wildcats with 100 lbs. bombs also attacked the destroyers. More damage. At the same time Yorktown was hit again. Eight Lilys escorted by 10 Oscars came through, followed by 22 Marys, all flying from Hong Kong The final positive results for the USN carrier planes were two hits on battleship Hiei, position just south of Samah on Hainan Island. The attack was carried out by nine SBDs.
So, this was the situation in the afternoon. The enemy was fleeing towards west and south, should we continue the pursuit? Anyway, Yorktown would have to be given escort back to the wharf in Penghu, she would probably be out of the fight for months. One thing’s for sure: If a general withdrawal is decided upon the USN heavies shall make a swing into Hong Kong port and give back a little to the enemy planes on the airfield there before they retreat.
In this same period a drawn-out battle was also going on in the Malaccan Strait. The Japanese air attacks had lost their effect as the Allied air defense was improved in the Strait area due to the fall of Moulmein. The Japanese Navy was sent in again to sweep the board. From Singapore came light cruiser Kitakami, the “torpedo cruiser”, with four destroyers - two were detached to roam the Andamans. In their usual fashion Kitakami and her cohorts performed their ballet between the various British bases, aiming at sinking whatever enemy transport came in sight. However, as in the air, the Allied sea defenses had improved decisively the last few days, the USN combat ships that had supported their escort carriers in the Andamans transferred down to the Strait. Simultaneously, there had been an influx of newly repaired British ships from Colombo. Wherever Kitakami turned up with her destroyer friends there was somebody there to meet them. In a final nocturnal battle outside Tandjoenbalai, Kitakami was given her death blow by torpedoes fired from the four USN destroyers Abbot, Case, Aulick and Barton. She sank as she was trying to withdraw to Singapore. Destroyer Numakaze was expedited to the bottom on site.
The two northern enemy destroyers probed Port -Blair during the night-of the 15th but were scared off by two British motor launches, 189 and 200, which were sent out to give the impression of a defense - they were quickly sunk by the Japanese destroyers. In the mean-time signals were picked up from the battle south of them, the Strait was obviously too heavily defended by the enemy. The two destroyers withdrew full speed out in the Indian ocean. A search and destroy mission was set up with HMS Illustrious and USS Sangamon, both replenishing in Sabang, and CVE Prince William that had just put in at Colombo, all were directed to positions to cover the enemy’s eventual withdrawal. Next day he was nowhere to be seen, the Allied carriers returned to their respective departure points.
As the withdrawal of the enemy naval force in the South China Sea was confirmed, the first amphibious ships were sent out east from Penghu, to be ready to take advantage of the first enemy port captured near Shanghai. This force is spearheaded by the 5th Marines.
Fred
