January 28, 1945
Location: 100 miles northeast of Pusan
Course: North
Attached to: TF 43
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 425
Orders: Proceed into Sea of Japan to evade enemy air attacks
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The Sea of Japan was once land-locked, ages ago, and is still so sheltered that tides there are almost non-existent.
Hibiki’s keel has not touched these waters since the week before the war began. The destroyer and the rest of Tanaka’s task force are there now, however, fleeing the wrath of the Allied fast carrier formations.
As it turns out this was an unnecessary precaution. The blow has once again fallen on Tokyo and the area nearby. The Japanese have mustered the bulk of their remaining air force here and fierce aerial battles rage throughout the day, both over Tokyo and in the skies over the enemy ships.
Tokyo is hit hard. Several Japanese ships are sunk and two dozen others are heavily damaged. Japanese aircraft losses are appalling, though the totals are concealed well enough that little word of their extent ever reaches
Hibiki. Almost 600 planes are lost in the air and on the ground.
Reports indicate that enemy air losses are also heavy. Further, the enemy carrier forces are once again said to have been devastated. This sounds a little hollow, considering that these same forces were said to have been wrecked by Japanese air power less than a week ago and yet here they are, savaging Japan once again. Some aboard
Hibiki wonder if any enemy ships have actually been hit at all.
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The crew of HMS
Indomitable do not have any doubts on this point. They are currently fighting valiantly to save their ship, which has been struck by four torpedoes. Some distance off they can see a column of dense smoke rising into the sky. This marks the position of HMS
Victorious, which has also been hit.
Victorious, which had been damaged previously at the battles of Exmouth Bay and Santa Cruz, will once again live to fight another day.
Indomitable’s fate, however, is considerably more in doubt.
The doubt is settled when the fires aboard touch off explosions deep in the heart of the carrier. The order to abandon ship is given and the crew is evacuated in good order. Soon afterwards the stricken carrier is given the coup de grace by one of her escorting destroyers.
Despite this loss the raid is considered a substantial victory by the Allies. Most Japanese commanders are of the same opinion, though few will say so out loud. Japan’s ability to resist enemy air attacks has not been destroyed, but it has been seriously damaged. The main effect this will have on Japanese policy will be to remove the final barriers to the widespread use of the Special Attack Corps.
The Allied forces withdraw as night approaches. But both sides know that, sooner or later, they will be back.
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HMS Indomitable in better times:
