From the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan:
>> Battle of the Cruiser off British Malaya on 28 June 1921 <<
After about an hour of fighting, the situation was still opaque for Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura. The enemy cruisers all made way again. Sometimes they came closer, sometimes they moved away. For the Takao, this was advantageous due to the comparatively long range of the main and secondary artillery. Because the Takao was able to maintain its fire, while the enemy simply acted out of reach of his guns.
Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura attributed this to the fact that the enemy had proper respect for the Takao and did not know how to deal with this monster?
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Then the third ship was classified as a heavy cruiser. However, the behavior of this ship also spoke in favor of a light cruiser.
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The impression was not deceiving and the third ship was also a light cruiser of the modern Lalande class. The Takao was built exactly for such a situation. Now Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura could prove that he knew how to lead the ship and that the Takao controlled the battle.
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Ten minutes later, the enemy was able to score the first hit on the Takao.
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After a short passing battle, the enemy turned away again. Without intending to, Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura had gotten between the enemy ships with the Takao, but the third cruiser kept a respectful distance.
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The French cruisers did not know how to take advantage of their better tactical situation. The Takao, on the other hand, was able to score a series of heavy direct hits on one of the two Lalande-class cruisers.
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From this point on, the enemy seemed to want to break away and Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura ordered the approach in order to be able to attack with full force. Of course, this also benefited the enemy!
Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura had manoeuvring in order not to fall victim to a torpedo. Whereupon the enemy now followed suit in turn.
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The Takao was clearly superior in terms of artillery, but then there was an unfortunate hit by the enemy cruiser in the mechanics of the forward main gun turret. Tower A was simply not lucky on the Takao.
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Two hours had now passed since the opening of the battle without either side having any significant success to show for it.
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With the failure of the mechanics of the second 9inch turret as well, the Takao now had to rely entirely on the secondary artillery.
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Nevertheless, it was now the Takao who was being hunted!
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Ironically, it was another hit that got the jammed mechanics of the rear turret going again.
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Another half an hour later, all gunners were ready for use again.
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The enemy felt this shortly afterwards! The behavior of the third cruiser, which had always remained out of range so far, remained strange.
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Over the next thirty minutes it was more of a gruff prick, but then the Takao managed several broadsides on the Lalande-class.
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The French began to smoke in, but the Takao kept up the pressure on the enemy!
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A shelling ensued at close range, during which the French cruisers had to take the heavier hits.
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The battle now dragged on for more than four hours and on the Takao the ammunition stock of the main artillery gradually became scarce.
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Despite the latent torpedo threat, Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura decided to get closer to the enemy to increase his hit rates. Both cruisers were now in the water with a sideline and minimal speed.
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The enemy also took more hits, but the 4inch and 5inch shells could only cause moderate damage against the armor of the Takao.
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At full risk, the Takao passed the Jean Bart-class cruiser at minimal distance, targeting a full broadside with its own 5inch artillery.
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Almost five hours after the start of the battle, the Lalande-class light cruiser tilted to the side and capsized.
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The ammunition was almost used up and further mechanical problems prevented the use of the towers, which still had ammunition. So Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura sneaked around the enemy cruiser with his Takao for almost forty minutes until it finally capsized and sank.
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There was nothing to be seen of the third French cruiser far and wide, but without ammunition it was probably better that way!
In addition, dusk set in and Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura ordered home course. At eighteen o'clock darkness engulfed the Takao and the battle could probably be considered over.
At nineteen o'clock, Kaigun-daisa Kichisaburō Nomura noted in the logbook Tower Mechanics!! and he officially declared the battle over.
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#138 RTW2-JAP#