Dutch East Indies

[Heliopause]

Jan 1st

B-10's from Sembawang, Singapore fly their first mission along Malaya's westcoast (up-to Padang in search for small boats used by the enemy to infiltrate further south). Near Padang a number of vessels are spotted. The leading B-10 then flying lower to inspect. Suddenly on one of the ships a deckgun appears from under a sail and this opens fire. The B-10 is hit and crashes in the sea. The remaining 2 B-10's are able to veer away on time and make the return flight. The two planes have a speed difference and one starts to lag behind. Near Port Swettenham the leading B-10 is attacked by Ki-43's and it ditches on the sea. The enemy fighters making further attacks on it. The remaining B-10 is able to turn and slip away unseen and returns to Singapore.

 

Dutch submarine O 19 sets out from Singapore for her second patrol in the southern part of the Gulf of Siam. (During her first patrol she tried to attack enemy ships on a number of occasions but without succes. Amongst other things because of weather conditions and a technical failure that made trimming impossible right at the time of an attack run).

 

Dutch B-10 seen here during take-off from Sembawang, Singapore.

Edited January 2, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 2nd/3rd
2 B-10's arrive at Sembawang, Singapore from Andir, Java. They have an extra fuel tank installed for greater range. With 2 300Kg bombs each a mission is to be carried out to Saigon. Perhaps an enemy warship can be bombed at the harbor. After resting and final checks the mission starts shortly after midnight. The wingman can only stay in formation by keeping an eye on the exhaust flames from the leader's plane. After some 3,5 hours with the extra fueltank almost empty the crews have to switch to the wingtanks. This causes some trouble for the wingman who's engines have to be re-started and during this he loses sight of the leader. With some extra power he hopes to catch up again but in the dark this isn't easy al all. Suddenly he passes the lead machine and makes an S-turn getting in formation again. In the first daylight Indochina's coastline is seen to be covered by a thick cloudbase reaching 4500m and it is realised the target area will look no better. The leader then starting to change course and the return leg. Two times an enemy formation is seen but the B-10's remain undetected, safely arriving back at Sembawang. The flightleader reports back to HQ Java. The order is given to return to Java for the mission is not to be repeated. It is at the extreme range of the planes.

[Heliopause]

Jan 4th
8 B-17's set out of Samarinda II airfield to attack the enemy fleet in the Gulf of Davao (the B-17's having arrived the previous day at Samarinda II from Malang, Java).
Enemy cruiser Myoko is damaged and a claim of a destroyer is made.

 

From Tarakan island the remaining 3 Brewster fighters are relocated to Samarinda II airfield. The (ground)crews are flown over by Lodestar. With enemy bombing and strafing attacks the field is no longer safe.

[Heliopause]

Jan 7th
Two days ago Submarine O 19 arrived at her designated area of operation (southern part of the Gulf of Siam). Today O 19 spots a convoy of enemy transports and tries to get into a favourable position. Two times she succeeds but both times an destroyer moves in the direction of O 19 forcing her to dive. Returning to periscope depth later the convoy is then to far away.

 

Eight enemy flying boats attack installations on Ambon including its naval air station.

 

At Kallang, Singapore one Dutch Brewster is wrecked during landing. It will be shipped back to Java for repairs.

Edited January 7, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 8th
2 patrols of B-10's from Sembawang set out to find an enemy beacon/weather ship near the Anambas islands. The flight is uneventfull as no enemy ship is found. Another patrol is performing a recon mission on Sumatra's eastcoast for possible infiltration ships. No enemy activities are reported.
Yet another patrol flies over the South China Sea. On the return flight it flies along Malaya's eastcoast. At Kuantan two small freighters are seen and the B-10's fly past at low altitude a couple of times. No reaction comes from the ships and as there is a standing order that anything at Kuantan or south of it should not be attacked the B-10's carry on towards Sembawang. At debrief the Australian Ops. officer disagrees firmly on not attacking the vessels but has to acknowledge the fact that the standing order is still in place (nor was the crew informed that Kuantan had fallen into enemy hands).

 

3 G4M bombers attack Tarakan. One of these is shot down by AA and crashes next to the airstrip.

 

At Ambon seven enemy flying boats make yet another attack.

 

The first PBY Catalina arrives via the western ferry route (Atlantic ocean and Africa). Previously arriving through Manilla, Phillippines that eastern ferry route no longer possible afer the start of hostilities.
 

Edited January 8, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 9th
From Sembawang B-10's are sent out to attack the vessels at Kuantan. Take-off is in semi darkness and the first B-10 hits a parked Hudson with one of its wheels and its wing strikes the pen resulting in the bomber crashing upside down. Groundcrews Dutch and Aussies race to the plane to help the crew. Two of the crew perish including the pilot. After 15 minutes a second patrol goes out and is able to make a bombrun on the two ships, however near misses are reported. Later in the morning yet another patrol goes out to have a go at it. The weather deteriorated meanwhile and the bombers are just able to make aim and drop bombs before clouds obscure the enemy vessels.

 

Dornier Do 24 X 13 attacks the airfield at Jolo, Phillippines in the early morning damaging a number of buildings and the southern part of the runway. Two enemy planes are seen to give chase but X 13 is able to get away. On the return flight it also spots a number of ships north of Tarakan. In the afternoon she will fly another patrol north of Tarakan again finding enemy ships and F1M floatplanes try to intercept with X 13 then moving away.

5 G4M bombers attack Tarakan harbor reporting the two ships present being hit (actually near misses).

 

Dornier Do 24 X32 picks up 54 survivors of the ship Camphuys which has been torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-58 in the northern Javasea.

 

B-17's from Kendari II airfield, Celebes fly a bombing mission to Davao (having arrived at Kendari the previous day from Malang, Java). A tropical rainfront blocks the way with 4 bombers returning to Kendari II. The remaining 5 reach the target area but clouds obscure. With no other ships in sight the already damaged cruiser Myoko is again bombed receiving more hits.

Edited January 9, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 10th
With a fleet of warships moving towards the oil rich island of Tarakan Japan declares war on The Netherlands. Two Dornier Do 24's are sent out to keep track of the enemy convoy. At Samarinda II 2 patrols of B-10's with a 30-min interval are ordered to attack enemy ships near Tarakan. Each patrol has 2 Brewster fighters as escort. Over the target area clouds obscure at the last moment and results can not be seen. While the second patrol lines up for the bombrun an enemy floatplane fighter suddenly appears. It is quickly attacked by the Brewsters and is seen leaving the area with smoke trailing from its engine and fuselage. The Brewsters then select to fly to Mangar airfield near Balikpapan as daylight will soon be fading and this airfield near the coast is easier to find. They land on fumes. Meanwhile one B-10 has landed at Tarakan with one engine out of order and the second rapidly losing power due to enemy AA. An enemy floatplane then shows up but is chased away by the local AA guns. The B-10 crew are given a place to sleep but not much comes from it as demolition works have already started (denying the oil installations and storagefacilities to the enemy). The next day they will trek the island through jungle and make way to Borneo on small fishing boats. The already damaged B-10 is left at Tarakan as reapairing will be impossible with the enemy invasion at hand.

 

Enemy ships have also been sighted moving towards Menado, Celebes and 3 PBY's from PatWing 10 make a bombrun attacking from 17,000 feet with no hits registered. All planes returning to Ambon. 3 Dutch PBY's are also sent out to attack with one of them unable to find the convoy. The remaining two are intercepted by enemy F1M's floatplane fighters and Catalina Y 58 is lost after making her bombrun. Y 60 although damaged and with two of her crew dead makes it back to Ambon.

 

Malaya:
Submarine O 19 finds 2 enemy freighters. Commander Bach Kolling follows these and tries to get into a favourable position going for the biggest ship of the two.
Sea conditions are ruff with high waves and rainfronts. Finally an position is set up on the smaller of the two freighters. From a distance of around 3000m Bach Kolling fires 3 torpedoes. After two and a half minutes an huge explosion is registered. Through the periscope the ship is seen to sink fast with steam rising in front of the bridge. Then Bach Kolling, to much of his surprise, notices something strange at the other ship. Black smoke is rising and she is listing to starboard. Could it be a lucky hit? The weather conditions don't allow a good observation and O 19 dives to 25m and heads out on a southeasterly heading.

 

From Sembawang, Singapore another mission to Kuantan is carried out in the morning. Weather is very bad and the patrol is flown at low altitude. The two ships are located but can't be attacked as the bombblast will hit the B-10's. The bombers return to Sembawang. Later in the day another patrol carries out a mission to the north of Kuantan reporting no activities.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Heliopause

[cardboard_killer]

Also, the Japanese officially declared war on the Netherlands on this day.

[Arfsix]

(80 years ago today) Texas’ most decorated military unit called the “Texas Lost Battalion,” landed at Surabaya, on Java’s northern coast.

 

       The 2^nd Battalion, 131^st Field Artillery Regiment (75mm Gun) (Truck-Drawn) was assigned to the 36^th Division, Texas National Guard and was mobilized on 25 November 1940. The battalion of Texas soldiers consisted of a Headquarters Battery from Decatur and Wichita Falls, Firing Batteries D, E, and F from Wichita Falls, Abilene, and Jacksboro, a Service Battery from Lubbock and Plainview, and a Medical Detachment from Plainview. The majority of the men were from 18 to 22 years old. The battalion was armed with twelve (four per battery) 75mm M1897A4 guns known as "French seventy-fives."

 

French Seventy-five at Camp Bowie, Texas

 

       President Franklin D. Roosevelt mobilized the battalion on 25 November 1940, in light of Japan’s increasing aggression. Guardsmen in Texas began leaving their local armories for Camp Bowie, in Brownwood, Texas, where they were reorganized into the Second Battalion. After completion in September 1941 of Third Army Maneuvers in Louisiana --the “Great Sham Battle” --the Second Battalion was detached from the 36^th Field Artillery Regiment and the army alerted the Second Battalion, 131^st Field Artillery, for assignment.

 

       On the evening of November 10, 1941, the battalion entrained at Camp Bowie en route to the West Coast; and eleven days later the unit boarded the United States army transport Republic at San Francisco and joined a convoy bound for the Philippines.

 

USS Republic

       The unit sailed for Hawaii, departing American soil November 21, 1941. They were not told about their mission, code-named PLUM, but assumed their destination was the Philippine Islands.

 

       The Republic reached Pearl Harbor on 28 November. After overnight refueling she left port on the 29th to join six other vessels and assume the role of flagship for a convoy headed to the Philippines escorted by the USS Pensacola (CA-24). That convoy, generally known as the Pensacola Convoy (also seen as the "Republic Convoy"), was being routed on the southern route to Manila by way of Port Moresby to avoid the Japanese mandated islands of the central route and on 6 December the convoy crossed the equator celebrating the largest Army Shellback initiation up to that time. Aboard Republic for that celebration was the ground element of the Army Air Forces 7^th Heavy Bombardment Group whose B-17 bombers were taking off the same day from Hamilton Field, California to arrive over Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

 

      With the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific the convoy was rerouted to Brisbane, Australia. The men of the 2^nd Battalion were still unclear about their mission when the Republic docked in Brisbane on December 21, 1941. The five hundred men of the battalion were the first American troops to land in Australia. They were warmly welcomed by the city, spending Christmas with local families or newfound friends. It was the first of many instances in which the Texans would experience an affinity for the folk from Down Under.

 

       On December 28, they boarded the Dutch freighter Bloemfontein and sailed full speed ahead to the Netherlands East Indies. They were part of a large convoy escorted by the USS Houston and other Allied ships, in an ominous display of the strength and firepower of the Australian-British-Dutch-American Command (ABDA).

 

MV Bloemfontein

 

        Five weeks had passed since the United States had joined the global war. On January 11, 1942, the Bloemfontein transporting the 2^nd Battalion landed at Surabaya, on Java’s northern coast. The 558 men were the only U.S. ground force to arrive in the Dutch East Indies. The mission of the Battalion was to help the Dutch defend the islands from a possible Japanese invasion. They would soon be among the earliest US troops to experience land-based combat, not long after Japan invaded the Philippines.

 

       Posted as a tribute to the men of the 2^nd Battalion, 131^st Field Artillery Regiment and my to stepfather, Farris Foster Gilliam, 1^st SGT. Battery E.

 

Edited January 11, 2022 by Arfsix
spelling

[Heliopause]

Jan 11th
2 Dutch Brewsters from Kallang, Singapore give escort to the plane carying General Wavel to Java. Wavel will take up ABDA (American-British-Dutch-Australian) command.

 

3 B-10's from Samarinda II are ordered to attack enemy shipping at Tarakan despite the appaling weather. One plane returns quickly after take-off just managing to land between the cloudbanks whilst a second keeps flying nearby and waiting for the weather to improve. The third machine presses on but cannot get out of cloud. It arrives at Tarakan just above sealevel. At some point ship contours suddenly appear from the fog and bombs are dropped. Most probably without hitting any of the enemy ships.

 

7 B-17's from Malang, Java also carry out a bombing mission to Tarakan facing the same bad weather. Three of the bombers find the target area one of which is intercepted by 3 Zero's. Damaged it makes its way back to Malang, its gunners claiming 2 Zero fighters (one of these has to ditch due to damage with the pilot being picked up). The other 2 B-17's divert to Samarinda II airfield and succesfully land there while the area is covered in a rainfront with a low cloudbase.

 

Enemy planes have been spotted over Balikpapan probably carrying out reconnaissance. 4 Brewsters from Java are ordered to relocate to Samarinda II as a countermeasure.

 

9 B-10's from Palembang, Sumatra are relocated to Samarinda II, Borneo. Due to the weather conditions some machines land at Mangar near Balikpapan. They succeed in landing between the fresh bombcraters for the airfield was attacked not long before their arrival.

 

The ship Liberty is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-66. Dornier Do 24 "X 24" will fly twice to pick up the entire crew. The ship eventually being stranded at the north coast of Bali.

Edited January 11, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 12th
At Samarinda II news comes through of enemy planes heading for Balikpapan. The Brewster fighters take-off too late to intercept them on the way in but should be able to find the bombers on their way back. They succede although the weather is far from ideal with heavy clouds and rain. Suddenly an G4M is spotted and the Brewsters start to attack. The bomber is flying lower and lower as it dissapears in a raincloud whilst emitting heavy smoke. 2 of the Brewsters then run into another G4M and after a number of attacks it is seen trailing some smoke. Meanwhile they are out over the sea and the Brewsters disengage due to the fuel situation.

 

The B-10's From Mangar fly the last leg to Samarinda II. B-10's from Samarinda II meanwhile fly a bombingmission to Tarakan. On the returnflight darkness has set in and two machines are able to locate the secret Samarinda II airfield and land. Another machine lands in the Kutai delta near Samarinda with two of its crew dead. Probably hit by AA.

 

At Singapore 3 Dutch Brewsters are up with 5 from Sqn 488 in the morning and intercept a formation of Ki-21's. Pilot Swarts manages hits on one of the machines of which an engine is seen trailing smoke. Two New Zealanders take to their parachutes due to taking damage from return fire. In the afternoon another scramble is made resulting in a dogfight with Ki-27's. Dutch pilot Deibel claims two enemy planes but has to take to his parachute after his engine seizes due to enemy fire. The two other Dutch pilots on this mission claim 1 enemy machine each.

 

Dornier Do 24 X32 picks up survivors from the ship Djirak at Sepanjang island. Djirak being torpedoed two days ago by Japanese submarine I-57.

 

The appearance of Do X 23 near steamship Patras meanwhile causes Japanese submarine I-56 to abandon its attack and quickly dive. X 23 is however on a trainingflight and is not carrying any depthcharges or bombs.

 

Painting depicting Dutch Brewster action near Singapore. Claims where made but all the Ki-27's apparently made it back to base.

Edited January 12, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 13th
Brewster fighters from Samarinda II airfield try to intercept enemy bombers heading for Balikpapan as in the previous day. However they are unsuccesfull. The enemy planes probably taking another route to avoid them.

Meanwhile 6 patrols of B-10's (also from Samarinda II) are sent out to attack enemy ships at Tarakan. Each patrol takes-off with an 30-min interval. Over the target area Zero's intercept each time and 5 B-10's are shot down with only one crewmember parachuting (picked up two days later from Borneo's eastcoast opposite Tarakan by a Dornier flyingboat and taken to Balikpapan). Another B-10 lands at Balikpapan, making it on one engine as the other is shut down due to a shot through fuel tank in the left wing. Its bomb aimer being Lt. S. Soeriadarma. Over Tarakan he had aimed the bombs on a cruiser or big destroyer. Looking through the bombsight backwarts he was able to see a near miss and a direct hit on the back of the ship as witnessed by the rear gunner. The 5th and 6th patrol are stand down as the losses suffered by the previous patrols become apparent.

 

Soerjadi Soeriadarma followed an officers course for the Dutch East Indies Army at the Royal Military Academy at Breda, Holland in 1934. In 1938 he joined the ML-KNIL following an navigator course. At the start of the war he was part of the B-10 aircrew. Postwar with the independence of the colony he would be the founder of the Indonesian Airforce.

[cardboard_killer]

Back on 11-Jan-1942, "• After a Do-24 sights the invasion force approaching Tarakan from the Philippines the day before, the Dutch begin demolition of the oil facilities. Tarakan is one of the primary Japanese objectives and reasons for the war. A small island off Borneo, it has seven hundred oil wells, a refinery, and an airfield.

 

- As the Japanese approach Tarakan and begin minesweeping, Dutch minelayer Prins van Oranje is sunk by destroyer Yamakaze and a patrol boat. Dutch shore batteries sink two minesweepers and damage destroyer Asagumo.

 

HNLMS Prins van Oranje

 

• The Right Wing Unit from the Sakaguchi Detachment lands on the east coast, followed by the 2nd Kure Special Naval Landing Force. In total, 6,600 Japanese land to face 1,300 defenders. Most of the Allied troops are native infantry, gunners, and reservists.

 

- Fierce fighting will go on for two days. American B-17s attempt to attack the Japanese invasion force but poor weather causes them to abort. Dutch B-10s attack and cause some Japanese casualties. Nearly all Dutch POWs will be executed in retaliation for destruction of the oilfields."

 

[the next day] "• As the Japanese mop up on Tarakan, Dutch B-10 bombers conduct a raid, killing eighteen Japanese. Thirty Dutch prisoners are bayoneted while another two hundred and nineteen are hog-tied together and thrown in the water to drown. The Japanese are furious that the oil facilities have been thoroughly destroyed.

Tarakan burning refinery.

 

• The Japanese land the Sasebo Combined Naval Landing Force at Menado on Dutch Celebes, across the Celebes Sea from Borneo. In consists of two SNLF battalions backed by engineers and a company of light tanks. The Dutch garrison, composed mostly of fifty year old reservists and native troops, withdraws inland after firing a few shots. Seven Dutch and American PBYs attack the ships offshore but are engaged by floatplanes from seaplane carrier Chitose with one PBY downed.

 

- At the same time naval paratroopers of the 1st Yokosuka Special Landing Force drop on the airfield. They suffer heavy casualties when attacked by the Dutch Mobiele Colonne with “Overvalwagens”, wheeled lightly armoured personnel carriers. One has its engine disabled and two Indonesian gunners volunteer to remain in the vehicle firing their machine guns to allow the crew and squad to escape. The gunners are overrun and bayoneted by the Japanese. The paratroopers succeed in taking the field and allowing reinforcements to be flown in. They will subsequently execute a number of KNIL prisoners.

 

Japanese airdrop

 

Overvalwagens"

 

- The operations at Tarakan and Menado secure control of the northern approaches to the Java Sea.

 

 

[Heliopause]

Jan 14th
On Samarinda II 12 B-10's are prepared for the next bombing mission to Tarakan. It is planned to be carried out as a single formation rather then patrols with intervals as used in the previous days. When the machines are lined up with engines running for take-off the order comes to abandon the mission. The losses in the last days have been simply to high to risk any further in the skies over Tarakan. Later in the day 5 machines that are not operational are flown back to Java.

An enemy scout plane (C5M) appears over Laha, Ambon s airfield. The two Brewster pilots run to their planes to intercept. One Brewster has engine trouble and cant start. The commander takes-off alone and after some time chasing he's able to give a burst at 500m distance before the enemy plane dissapears in the clouds.

[Heliopause]

Jan 15th
Dutch submarine O 19 returns at Singapore from her war patrol. Commander Bach Kolling reports about his patrol and claims an enemy freighter attacked on the 10th. He is notified however of the confirmation of the sinking of the two freighters (Akita Maru and Tariyum Maru). What he had seen through his periscope turned out to be true. Both ships had been part of a convoy consisting of 5 and their loss being mentioned by the enemy.

 

B-10 bombers (2 patrols/6 planes) from Sembawang, Singapore are sent out to Malaya's westcoast to attack small boats used by the enemy to infiltrate further south. 6 Brewsters provide escort. 2 boats are sunk with 3 others receiving near misses.  Blenheims make a follow-up attack but are unable to find the boats, these probably seeking shelter under the overgrowth.

 

3 Dutch Brewsters are planned to make a ground attack with Sqn 243 over Malaya however enemy bombers are approuching Singapore. The Brewster formation takes-off towards the Riouw archipel to await further orders. After 15 min of circling the 3 Dutch planes fly back towards Singapore. Attacked by Ki-43's from above pilot Swarts is shot down and killed. One other Brewster receives damage but is able to make it back to Kallang.

 

At Palembang, Sumatra 4 Curtiss Interceptors are relocated to Tjililitan, Java with 10 Curtiss Hawk 75's remaining for local defence (the planes having been stationed at Palembang since Jan 12th all part of the convoy protection scheme).
Meanwhile a number of Brewsters remain before returning to Java to carry out a last convoy protection patrol. They are unable to find any ships.
One of the Brewster pilots has to ditch due to engine failure. The pilot is seen to leave his ditched plane and the remaining Brewster pilots keep circling until forced back by their fuel situation. A Fokker navy plane is quickly sent out to take over from the fighters but the pilot is not seen again.

 

7 B-17's flying a mission out of Palembang, Sumatra to attack the enemy held airfield of Soengi Patani in Malaya. 2 planes return due to a technical problem and a storm that causes losing contact with the formation. The remainder reach the target area (the mission was planned for the previous day but refuelling and bombing-up of the planes had taken to much time). A number of bombruns are made from 27,000 feet. Enemy fighters are unable to intercept. On the way back they land at Thonga, Sumatra. The next day they return to Malang, Java (making a stop-over at Palembang).

 

26 G4M's with fighter escorts attack Laha airfield and its Naval station at Ambon island. The 2 Brewster fighters scramble and are able to climb before the enemy's arrival but still find 6 enemy fighters above them. These attack and soon the leading Brewster is hit by 20mm fire and a fuel tank bursts into flame. The pilot succesfully bailing out. His wingman then facing the rest alone. In a turn his left wing departs the fuselage and he also manages to bail out. With wounds from shrapnel he spents 7 hours in jungle before a search party finds him. 6 Zero's attack the naval station destroying two Catalina's from PatWing 10. At Laha airfield an Australian Hudson is strafed. Most Hudsons and flying boats had taken off in time to avoid destruction.

 

At Surabaya Naval base the older planes like the Fokker T.IVa used by the flightschool are made ready for warwork again.  With the recent surge in enemy submarine attacks on shipping in the Java Sea these planes are made ready for operations. Able to carry 3 depthcharges they can carry out local patrols.

[Heliopause]

Jan 16th
From Kallang, Singapore Brewster pilot Bruggink performs a scramble together with a machine from Sqn 488 (New Zealand). The two lose sight of eachother during the climb with the Dutch pilot then being able to attack a formation of some 24 G3M's. However without any noticable results.

 

Meanwhile 6 B-10's from Sembawang carry out a bombingmission over Malaya. An enemy troop convoy on a road NW of Segamat (already attacked in the morning by strafing Brewster fighters). At the same time the railstation of Gemas will be attacked. Brewsters of Sqn 243 provide escort. A low cloud base gives cover but also little extra room for bombblast effects. First the railstation is succesfully bombed after which the bombers turn south and drop bombs on the road full of enemy vehicles. The B-10's then return to Singapore whilst the Brewster escorts start strafing attacks. 5 Brewsters receiving damage by groundfire but all planes return to base. Some 40 enemy vehicles are destroyed.

 

At Ambon 16 G4m's attack the city with the Zero escorts strafing the airfield and Naval Station. The Dutch and PatWing PBY Catalina's have already left for Surabaya Naval Base and no planes are lost.

Edited January 16, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 17th
The remaining 3 Dutch Brewsters at Kallang, Singapore are ordered back to Semplak, Java. One of these being picked up at a maintanance unit at Seletar without much administrative fuss. The Dutch B-10 bombers at Sembawang remain.

 

24 G3M's attack Sembawang airfield. A number of Brewsters and Hudsons are lost.

[Heliopause]

Jan 18th
Three of the newly arrived PBY Catalinas are stationed at Tandjong Priok, Batavia (Djakarta) for maritime patrols and convoy protection duties. Another Catalina is stationed at Lake Toba (Sumatra) for patrol work over the Strait of Mallacca and the South China Sea.

 

Around this time B-10's and Brewster fighters at Samarinda II airfield, Borneo have armor plating installed for the pilots. The Brewsters also receiving reflector gunsights, an inprovement over the "ring and bead".

[Heliopause]

Jan 19th
3 B-10's from Sembawang, Singapore carry out a bombingmission to Muar. After bombing enemy positions the planes are attacked by Ki-43's. By diving and zig-zagging the B-10's try to keep out of the enemies fire. All B-10's are damaged however and lost one after the other. The first B-10 crashing in the sea whilst the second makes a crash landing with two of the crew surviving. The last machine belly lands close to Singapore with one of the crew dead.

 

9 B-17's set out from Malang, Java to Del Monte, Philippines performing a shuttle bombing mission. Two planes returning to Malang and one plane landing at Samarinda II due to technical problems. The remaining six B-17's bomb enemy ships at Jolo before arriving safely at Del Monte. The planes will return the next day to Malang unable to make a succesfull attack in the Jolo area due to adverse weather. They do however evacuate some personnel from Del Monte.

 

3 newly delivered PBY Catalinas are stationed at Padang, Sumatra. They will carry out maritime patrols over the Indian Ocean and also perform convoy protection duties.

[Heliopause]

Jan 20th
On Java a B-10 is lost during a night training flight. The plane is part of a group training from the airfield of Kalidjati.

 

B-10's from Sembawang, Singapore perform a maritime patrol in the morning along Malaya's eastcoast. Enemy vessels are not found. On finals for landing at Sembawang explosions are seen on the airfield as it is attacked by enemy bombers. Quickly the B-10's divert to Seletar returning to Sembawang late in the afternoon.

 

At Balikpapan, Borneo 5 Dornier Do 24's are stationed for carrying out maritime patrols. It is expected that the enemy will focus on Balikpapan very soon after its recent invasion of Tarakan island. A small boat was spotted the previous day and in the morning Do 24 X14 locates it again landing alongside, meanwhile keeping a safe distance. From the boat two men row over in a dingy and they turn out to be Dutch KNIL officers from Tarakan garrison. The carry a message of the enemy. The oil installation at Balikpapan are not to be destroyed (like on Tarakan), otherwise those responsible plus many others will be killed. However demolition teams are already on stanby at Balikpapan. Destruction of Manggar airfield is already set in motion.

 

Balikpapan harbor seen here with its many oil installation.

[Heliopause]

Jan 21st
A Dornier Do 24 on a maritime patrol spots enemy vessels moving south from Tarakan. Bad weather prevents detection of this fleet for the next few days however. The Dorniers are relocated away from Balikpapan for the demolitionworks that are carried out can cause burning oil to flow into the sea.

 

PBY Catalina Y51 is strafed and destroyed by Zero fighters on the Barito river (Banjarmasin, Borneo). The crew will be picked up by Catalina Y55 and find themself attacked again. This time by three enemy fighters. Two of which are claimed as damaged.

 

Sembawang airfield, Singapore is attacked by enemy bombers. Two B-10's are lost and one badly damaged. A number of Australian Hudsons are also damaged in the attack. In the evening one B-10 is flown to Kluang airfield to carry out a night attack. Upon arrival the mission is cancelled (enemy machine gun fire can already be heard to the north), for the airfield could be quickly lost. The B-10 later safely arriving back at Sembawang.
 

Edited January 21, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 22nd
Six Brewsters from Semplak, Java are relocated to Samarinda II airfield, Borneo to strengthen the numbers already there. They will make a stop-over for the night at Surabaya Naval base, moving to Borneo the next morning. On the same day a B-10 lands on the soaked airfield (Semplak) and hits two parked Brewster fighters.

 

A Brewster is lost shortly after take-off from Bandjar, Java. The plane losing altitude during a turn. The pilot perishes in the crash.

 

At Palembang airfield, Sumatra control is passed over to the RAF. Many planes will arrive in the coming weeks out of Singapore, its airfields frequently being bombed by the enemy.

 

The Dutch B-10's at Sembawang, Singapore are relocated back to Java. Before take-off Sembawang is bombed resulting in three B-10's written off and a number damaged to the extent that they are left behind. 7 B-10's finally set out and arrive safely at Palembang, Sumatra. The next day they will arrive back on Java. Other personell will follow by ship.

[Heliopause]

Jan 23rd
10 Dutch Curtiss Hawks 75's from Palembang, Sumatra take-off to intercept an enemy formation of 26 Ki-21's. The fast bombers are already on the return flight however and the fighters have to give a long chase before getting any close. The commander attacking as long as possible before turning away and landing at the airstrip of Djambi because of the low fuel situation.  Some 12 enemy machines receive damage with smoke trailing behind.
The bombing of Palembang airfield meanwhile resulted in an B-10 and a B-17 destroyed.

 

For the past few weeks groups of people have been evacuated from Balikpapan, Borneo to Java. This is done by the military flying boats and Lodestars aswell as a DC-3 from KNILM (Royal Dutch East Indies Airline) and a Grumman Goose G.21 from the petroleum company.

 

Grumman Goose G.21 from the Batavia Petroleum Company was also used for evacuation work to Java. Today it takes two wounded from the military.

[Heliopause]

Jan 24th
In the early hours Dutch submarine K XVIII is patroling near Balikpapan, Borneo under Lt.Cdr. Van Well Groeneveld (he also commanded K XIV on its succesfull attack at Kuching harbor on December 23rd). Having closed in on the enemy invasion fleet he aims for a light cruiser (probably Naka) but the target evades. Some 15 minutes later Van Well Groeneveld launches torpedoes at a transport vessel striking freighter Tsuruga Maru. Just before dawn K XVIII is attacked by enemy Submarine chaser No.12 and damaged by depthcharges forcing her to withdraw. Meanwhile another attack is carried out against the enemy fleet by U.S. Destroyers Ford, Pope, Parrott and Paul Jones. Their torpedoes striking Kuretake-maru (Army transport ship), Sumanaura-maru, Tatsugami-maru and Patrol boat No. 37 (Naval vessels). The latter perhaps also being fired upon by K XVIII. The attack by the U.S.Destroyers marks the first US sea battle since the Spanish-American War of 1898.

 

The previous day B-10's and Brewsters from Samarinda II had set out twice to attack the enemy fleet on its way south. The first mission unsuccesfull due to adverse weather. The enemy fleet was not found. During the second mission later in the afternoon the enemy vessels where spotted through a hole in the clouds at the last moment. The Brewsters attacking first, dive bombing with their 2 x 50kg bombs. Followed by the B-10's that hit the transport ship Nana-maru. A total of four enemy ships where hit. One Brewster went missing probably hit by AA.
Today on the 24th ten B-10's and fourteen Brewsters set out again early in the morning. The enemy fleet is partly obscurd by the smoke colums from the burning oil installation at Balikpapan. The last patrol of the B-10's is able to hit an enemy transportship which is seen to break in half. Other patrols report near misses. The Brewster pilots dive bomb aswell and like the day before some are able to hit an enemy ship. One Brewster pilot making a second dive bombing attack as one bomb proved to be a hang-up. However he misses again. On his way back he spots enemy troops landing near the airfield of Manggar and then performing a strafing attack. He then also returns to Samarinda II to informs HQ of his findings.
From Malang, Java B-17's also set out to attack the enemy fleet near Balipapan. 7 B-17's bomb in formation and claim an enemy transport as destroyed. An 8th machine bombs on its own a number of ships at anchor in the bay of Balikpapan. A number of enemy fighters make attacks on the bombers causing light damage. In return two Zero's are damaged during landing at Manggar.
Meanwhile 3 Zero's strafe part of Samarinda II airfield. The secret airfield has been discovered. A DC-3 of KNILM is shot down just as it gets into the air for a return flight to Java. On the ground a B-10 under repair is further damaged by a Zero but the enemy fighter is then hit by 40mm AA and crashes. The enemy planes then dissapear. A technical team starts to investigate the wreckage of the crashed enemy fighter: armament 2x 20mm and 2x 7,7mm. Engine: two row, 14 cilinder. Radio equipment: radio and radio-compass with fabrication tag "produced in the USA". On the flight map of the enemy pilot Samarinda II airfield is indicated by a red line from Tarakan. The field has definitely been discoverd.
The Brewster fighters are used for armed rec missions in the afternoon to search for possible enemy landings and to attack these with the 50Kg bombs. The weather conditions are far from ideal however. Enemy landings are not located but one patrol of five Brewsters suddenly spots two enemy floatplane fighters. The 50Kg bombs are dropped right away and the enemy planes are duly attacked. These try to get clear by performing a "spin" after the initial attack but are caught by the next Brewsters. The floatplanes are seen to hit the sea by two of the Brewster pilots.
A second attack by 6 Zero's is carried out in the afternoon on Samarinda II and they are able to destroy three B-10's. Three Brewsters scramble but are uaware of two enemy Zero's at a higher altitude. These dive down on the Brewsters two of which are shot down. The third Brewster using a "vrille" to get down and straightens his Brewster low over the airfield flying over an 12,7mm AA gun. The latter opens fire on the chasing Zero hitting it and seeing it pull up thus clearing the Brewster's tail (the damaged Zero fighter will ditch near Japanese ships with its pilot wounded by a 12,7 in the chest).

 

3 Dorniers operating upriver at Tajan, Borneo perform daily maritime patrols over the south china sea and also the airfield and harbor of Kuching and its roads leading south, to monitor possible enemy movements. Today two Dorniers Do 24's attack the airfield of Kuching again. The bombs being dropped on the runway to deny its use to the enemy.
For over a week now attacks have been made: On the 16th a strafing attack is carried out on the airfield (with an enemy fighter seen taxiing) and with three ships observed in the harbor. On the 18th two Dorniers attack these vessels and come under enemy AA fire, only near misses are reported. The next day in the morning a low level attack is carried out as clouds make an attack from height impossible. One bomb being dropped on a road of the airfield. Two small vessels are then located in the harbor but an attack on these proves unsuccesfull. In the afternoon the Dorniers set out again and circle the area for an hour (with the cloudbase now higher) dropping bombs at favourable moments. 18 bombs have hit the runway with one of these producing an explosion followed by a big fire (a lot of text today anybody still reading this must be fascinated). The next few days saw small attacks being carried out but on the 23rd, after circling for a couple of hours due to adverse weather conditions eight bombs are dropped on the harbor. Four are seen to hit the docks which results in fires. Due to clouds more results can not be seen.

Edited January 24, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 25th
9 B-10's are performing another bombingmission from Samarinda II airfield. Brewster fighters meanwhile are used for armed rec flights in the Balikpapan area to find out the positions of the enemy landings. None are found in part because of the weather but also of the smoke columns coming from the burning oil installations.
The B-10's start out as a formation but due to the weather conditions patrols are split up. The first two that spot the enemy fleet select an enemy transportship but suddenly find two enemy fighters closing in on them. Diving down in a left hand turn the bombers make it for the lower cloud base. The wingman receives damage resulting in the left engine out of order but the planes reach the safety of the clouds. The next two bombers spot the enemy fighters in advance and drop the bombs and make it into the clouds on time aswell. The next patrol of B-10's follow quickly behind over the enemy fleet and a transportship is attacked. They then find themself also under attack by the enemy fighters. One of the last planes in the formation is hit and goes down with only one crewmember able to get out. A second B-10 is damaged and also hit in the left engine before reaching the clouds. One attacking Zero fighter is hit by the gunners and is seen pulling up burning. The remaining Zero's try to find the bombers between the clouds but finally the bombers are able to dive to treetop height and fly to the airfield of Oelin as previously planned. After parking under the treeline for camouflage enemy fighters are seen making a pass over the field. The Zero's dissapear apparently unable to spot the parked B-10's.

 

Meanwhile Samarinda II is bombed by some 18 G4M's in three attack runs. Three Brewsters scramble and succeed in attacking the rear nine machines but the speeddifference is not that great. Results are not witnessed. After landing another scramble has to be made for 27 G4M's are now reported. The bombers approuch now at a higher altitude and the Brewster again are unable to claim any succes. Two parked Brewsters are damaged by explosions and the runway is in part out of order. In the afternoon 4 Zero fighters make a strafing attack and wreck a B-10 and a Brewster. AA is unsuccesfull in hitting the attackers.

 

The enemy fleet is also attacked by B-17's from Malang, Java. The eight machines also coming under Zero attack. One of these explodes after getting hit by the B-17's gunners, while another Zero leaves the scene damaged. Two B-17's are lost due to running out of fuel and making emergency landings at Madoera. One lands at Oelin, Borneo with heavy damage received by the enemy fighters. The remaining are able to land back at Malang.

 

At Sumatra the seven operational Curtiss Hawk 75's are relocated from Palembang to Tjililitan, Java. The next day they will arrive at their home airfield of Maospati.

Edited January 25, 2022 by Heliopause

[cardboard_killer]

[to expand on the 24-Jan night action] "• The Japanese transport fleet arrives off Balikpapan in darkness and prepares to land 5,500 men of the 56th Brigade and 1,100 men of the Kure 2nd SNLF.

 

• Luitenant ter zee eerste Klasse Carel van Well Groeneveld (who had sunk two transports and damaged a third at Kuching in December while commanding K-XIV) attacks the fleet with K-XVIII. He torpedoes and sinks 7,000 ton naval transport Tsuruga Maru and damages Patrol Boat #37 (former Momi class destroyer Hishi).

 

- Most of the Japanese destroyers head east and hunt K-XVIII for several hours, depth charging her and inflicting severe damage that will force her to RTB to Surabaya.

 

- This hunt leaves the remaining fourteen transports covered by three minesweepers and three sub chasers when Destroyer Division 59 (Clemson flush-deck destroyers Pope, John D. Ford, Parrott, and Paul Jones under Commander Paul Talbot) enters the anchorage for the first US Naval surface action since 1898.

DD Tender USS Black Hawk with Pillsbury - Pope - Ford - Paul Jones - Peary and Parrott off China in 1930s

 

 

USS Pope in 1924

 

- Talbot is challenged by signal light and doesn't answer, and the Japanese do not raise the alarm, assuming the ships to be the ones that went looking for the submarine.  Expecting heavy resistance and having left light cruisers Boise and Marblehead behind (see Jan 21st), Talbot sweeps through at high speed firing ten torpedoes. All torpedoes miss or are duds. Realizing that he is virtually unopposed, Talbot reverses course back in and slows down for methodical attacks with the Japanese silhouetted against the burning oil facilities.

 

- Torpedoes from leading destroyer Pope strike and sink the 3,500 ton army transport Sumanoura Maru. Parrott and Paul Jones sink the 7,100 ton naval transport Tatsugami Maru. John D. Ford attacks and sinks the 5,200 ton army transport Kuretake Maru. Another two transports suffer damage from gunfire and torpedoes but remain afloat. The already damaged Patrol Boat #37 is sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from the Pope and Parrott. Hospital ship Asahi Maru is hit by gunfire, the Americans not seeing any special markings in the darkness. The elderly 4” guns of the destroyers are too light to do much damage in the time they have.

Patrol Boat #37 as Hishi in 1925

 

- The American destroyers fire off all forty-eight of their torpedoes at anchored targets. As the destroyer mounted Mark-15 has the same problems as the submarine Mark-14, there are many instances of duds, premature detonations, and explosions against the shore. This allows the Japanese to recover torpedoes and the Americans to claim much higher results than were obtained. USS John D. Ford is the only one damaged, hit by a shell that wounds four crewmen.

 

- Now alerted to the presence of ABDA surface forces, Naval Major General Shoji Nishimura abandons the antisubmarine sweep for K-XVIII and heads towards the fires at flank speed. Light cruiser Naka with the destroyers Minegumo and Natsugumo are the first to arrive, but cannot catch the USN destroyers as they increase speed to make their withdrawal to the south for a rendezvous with the light cruiser Marblehead.

 

- The attacks delay the Japanese landings by about six hours. The Kure 2nd SNLF is effectively eliminated as a combat ready unit by the sinking of its navy transports and equipment, though most of the men survive. The IJA’s 56th Brigade is in better shape and lands with only token resistance as the 1,100 militia of the KNIL’s 6th Garrison Battalion retreat inland, destroying as much of the facilities as possible.

 

Troops of Sakuguchi Detachment at Balikpapan

 

- Later in the day Dutch Martin B-10s bomb and sink cargo vessel Jukka Maru. The Japanese will have the airfield operational by the 28th.

 

- The Japanese will massacre 72 Europeans captured at Balikpapan in retaliation for the destruction of the oil facilities. Many of them had not evacuated with the rest of the civilians due to age and/or illness."

[Heliopause]

Jan 26th
PBY Catalina Y59 provides escort for Dutch submarine K XVIII (the latter damaged on the 24th by depthcharges near Balipapan and only able to travel at the surface. She is returning to Surabaya Naval Base). Y59 is attacked by two enemy fighters in the proces but is able to shake these off by use of clouds.

 

At Oelin the flyable B-10's are relocated to Makassar, Celebes. Operational machines at Samarinda II receive the same order. The airfield at Makassar is checked regularly by enemy planes however and the decision is made to fuel up and relocate to Java to escape possible destruction from the air. As soon as a B-10 bomber is fueled up it takes-off for Andir, Java (staging through Surabaya and Tjililitan airfield).

 

Meanwhile two B-10's under repair at Samarinda II are patched up during the night by the groundcrews and are able to leave for Java at first light taking with them as many crewmembers as possible. Samarinda II airfield has an alarm later in the morning and enemy bombers fly over the base a number of times without attacking. Probably because of the adverse weather the bombers fail to locate te airfield. The Brewster fighters are unable to scramble hampered by the same weather conditions.

 

To the south of Java British aircraftcarrier Indomitable launches the first 16 Hurricane fighters (the next few days will see the remaining 32 fighters launched). Australian Hudsons from Tjililitan airfield fly towards the aircraftcarrier and guide the fighters to Kemajoran airfield, Batavia. At Tjillilitan Dutch Curtiss Hawks 75's are on stand by.

Edited January 26, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 27th
Part of the Brewster fighters at Samarinda II are relocated to Java. Seven Brewsters remain. The idea is to still use the base whenever possible for bomber operations although at the moment the runway is still cratered and unusable for bombers.

 

Six B-17's fly a mission to Balikpapan from Malang in order to attack the enemy fleet. One has to aboard the mission with the weather being far from ideal. One enemy transportship is claimed destroyed and another left burning plus a near hit on a destroyer. The five B-17's are attacked by two Zero fighters but all make it back to base.

[Heliopause]

Jan 28th
(The previous day: Six B-10's land at Oelin, Borneo from Java to ask for orders from Samarinda II. An enemy scout plane is later observed near the airfield and fear of an enemy attack proves right as at a later moment seven enemy fighters appear just as the B-10 crews get ready for a bombing mission on the enemy fleet near Balikpapan. Al six bombladen and fueled up B-10's are destroyed. One enemy fighter is damaged by machinegun fire from the B-10 crews and lands at Manggar.)

At Samarinda II two Brewsters are flown back to Java in the morning for repairs. The airfield is later attacked by enemy Zero's resulting in two parked Brewster fighters being destroyed.

 

B-17's carry out a bombingmission to Malaya (staging through Palembang, Sumatra). Five machines succesfully attacking the airfield at Muar destroying some six enemy fighters and damaging others. In the next few days the B-17's will return to Malang, Java from Palembang.

[cardboard_killer]

"• In a raid on the Samarinda II airfield, one Zero and two Dutch Buffaloes are shot down. The Mitsubishi A6M2 is nearly intact and the Dutch are able to examine it closely. Unfortunately, plans to ship it to Australia fall through due to the rapid Japanese advance.

 

• In Operation Opponent, aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable flies off forty-eight Hurricanes of 232 and 258 Squadrons to Batavia, Java (modern Jakarta), for further transfer to Singapore. During the operation, one Swordfish fails to return from an anti-submarine search. Indomitable returns to Ceylon.

Hurricane taking off from HMS Indomitable"

[Heliopause]

Jan 29th
A Dornier Do 24 flying boat makes a bombing attack on the occupied airfield of Singkawang II, Borneo in order to deny its use to the enemy.

 

The remaining planes at Samarinda II airfield, Borneo return to Java (three flyable Brewsters). With the cratered runway still under repair the use of the airfield is given up. Some of the groundcrews remain with two Brewsters in the proces of being repaired.

 

From Java five B-17's set out to attack the enemy fleet at Balikpapan. One bomber returns with techical defects. The remaining four are able to drop the bombs but find them under attack by 13 enemy fighters. One bomber is lost on the way back. In return an enemy fighter is shot down and another lands damaged at Manggar with its pilot being wounded.

Edited January 29, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 30th
At Ambon the last planes leave the island. A Hudson (RAAF) and an empire flying boat towards Australia and three Dutch Catalina's for Surabaya Naval Base. During the last week maritime patrols have been carried out shadowing an enemy fleet that moved ever closer to Ambon. Evacuation flights have also been carried out.

[Heliopause]

Jan 31th
A Catalina of PatWing 10 performing a maritime patrol spots a large number of enemy vessels at Balikpapan. The crew later observing Balikpapan again on the return leg. Meanwhile B-17's from Malang carry out a bombingmission. The six B-17's bomb the enemy fleet but results can not be seen due to clouds. A number of Zero's attack the bombers but none are lost and they all return to Malang.

Edited January 31, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Febr 2nd
30 Hurricanes are now stationed at the airfield of Palembang P1 (ten miles north of Palembang, Sumatra). The British noticing: "B-17's had been using the grassed runways and now they where deeply rutted making it much more difficult for Hurricane pilots to take-off and land". The airfield has also seen the arrival of Blenheims and Hudsons.

 

LB-30 bombers attack the enemy fleet at Balikpapan in the early moring (flying out of Djokjakarta, Java). A fuel storage goes up in flames and an enemy ship is claimed sinking. Eight B-17's from Malang follow up with one machine returming due to a technical defect. The remaining bombers claim one ship damaged and another sunk.

 

Around this time the Dutch B-10 bomber force is regrouped over a number of units on Java.

Edited February 2, 2022 by Heliopause

[blue_max]

Fantastische serie dit, heel erg bedankt!

[Heliopause]

Febr 3rd
The airfield of Ambon is finally taken by the enemy, being defended by Australian troops for the last two days. Yesterday an enemy minesweeper was lost during clearing of the bay by a mine with another two getting damaged. The last Allied troops will surrender on the Island on February 7th.

 

At Samarinda II a Brewster coming out of repairs is picked up by a pilot from Java. He arrives at the airfield by Lodestar early in the morning. The first leg is to Surabaya, Java where he finds himself landing shortly after an enemy attack. Surabaya being attacked by some 26 bombers and 27 fighters. The airfield at Malang is also bombed and strafed by enemy planes (three B-17's lost) as is the airfield at Madioen.  From the latter 10 Hawk 75's take-off, bombs already exploding around them. Two planes return with technical problems and find themselves attacked during landing. The pilots quickly land but the planes being lost by strafing. For the rest of the fighters the formation is lost and the leader moves towards enemy fighters without the others. Attacking six Zero's alone and also bounced by a top cover his machine is lost after a couple of minutes. Taking to his parachute succesfully he then drowns in a river. Two Hawk 75's attack the bomber formation with five enemy machines claimed damaged. The remaining fighters redirected to Surabaya with two of them being shot down by enemy fighters.

 

From the airfield of Surabaya 7 P-40's (17 Pursuit Squadron) and 12 Curtis Interceptors take-off to attack the reported enemy bombers. Some Interceptors are redirected however and each patrol is later attacked by Zero's. Eight machines are lost in dogfights or during strafing after landing. Of the first four P-40's two return because of lack of fuel with the other two pressing on and attacking the bombers claiming one destroyed. Of the remaining three P-40's one is shot down by Zero's and one attacks another group of six Zero's shooting down the rear one of the formation. At the Naval base some 12 flying boats are lost due to strafing by enemy fighters.
The enemy loses four Zero's and an C5M.

 

A small number of Dornier Wals are still being used by the flightschool at Surabaya Naval base. Today D41 is lost during a flight near Surabaya being attacked by enemy planes. The plane is lost with the crew surviving. She is seen here in her earlier days.

 

Edited February 3, 2022 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Febr 4th
Enemy bombers attack the Allied fleet (4 cruisers and 7 destroyers) near Madoera and with the two US cruisers receiving heavy damage the ships abort the planned night attack on enemy vessels at Balikpapan. One enemy bomber is shot down in return. The formation of bombers being spotted by a PatWing 10 Catalina flying boat. Performing a maritime patrol to find enemy shipping in Macassar strait it then comes under attack by three of the escorting Zero fighters. Cloudcover is used to disengage whenever possible. The PBY making it back to Surabaya Naval Base badly damaged.

 

Around this time on Java plans are set into motion to move the flightschool from Kalidjati airfield to Australia. Instructers, student pilots and planes to be shipped within the next weeks.

[Heliopause]

Febr 5th
2 Dutch PBY Catalina's "Jan en Piet" (John & Pete) land near Ketapang (south of Pontianak), Borneo with woman and children from Sintang. A number of other evacues will board the planes before continuing to Java.

 

At Samarinda II airfield, Borneo the remaining groundcrews are picked up by Lodestars in the early morning and transported back to Java (staging through Oelin, Borneo).

 

Surabaya is again attacked by enemy bombers and fighters. Five Interceptors and two Hawk 75's take-off to intercept. One Interceptor aborts as its engine seizes during the climb landing at an airstrip under construction. The four Interceptors then dogfighting with some 13 Zero's (with two Zero's claimed). The Interceptors make it back to base one of which is badly damaged. The two Hawk 75's are attacked by another formation of Zero's and are no match. One is shot down, its pilot perishes. The other although damaged is able to escape at tree top height with two chasing Zero's finally giving up. He is then able to belly land at Madioen. Meanwhile 9 P-40's (17 PS) are also scrambled but they are vectored to what turns out to be friendly aircraft.

 

The airfield at Bali is also attacked by Zero fighters. P-40's coming from Darwin (the previous day staging through Koepang, Timor) having just refuelled and in the air for the last leg to Surabaya. In the dogfights that follows three are lost. After landing the field is bombed with another four P-40's destroyed. Two machines will continue to Surabaya later in the day with a third staying behind in need of repairs.

 

The airfield near Madioen.

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] "• A Japanese landing is made at Makassar, covered by floatplanes from Chitose, Mizuho, and Sanuki Maru. American submarine S-37 attacks the landing force, hitting destroyer Natsushio and breaking her back. Ten crew are killed and she founders while under tow by Kuroshio. Natsushio becomes the first of thirty-nine destroyers sunk by American submarines. S-37 is depth charged in reply but escapes undamaged. Lieutenant Charles Dempsey will receive a Navy Cross.

Natsushio

 

 

S-37

 

 

 

[Heliopause]

Febr 9th
The last Britisch fighter planes arrive at airfield P1 at Palembang, Sumatra from Singapore.

 

Catalina Y 38 lands on the river at Ketapang, Borneo. Besides the crew it has civilians on board who are to be evacuated. Enemy planes attack the Catalina and the passengers jump out into the river. Student pilot Persijn is attacked by an caiman and loses an arm. He succumbs to his wounds. The plane later manages to get airborne and starts the return to Surabaya Naval base. Shortly before reaching it the Catalina has to make an emergency landing.

 

5 P-40's shoot down one enemy bomber out of a formation north of Surabaya.

Febr 10th
3 LB-30's set out to attack an enemy carrier ship reported south of Celebes. Two planes reporting bombing the target but with results uncertain.

Febr 11th
During the night Lodestars pick up Britisch groundcrews from Tengah airfield, Singapore and transport these to Palembang P1, Sumatra. These flights will be repeated the following nights.

 

B-17's arrive at Palembang for a night mission to be carried out over Malacca. However this is cancelled. 

 

At Surabaya 9 P-40's arrive from Darwin, Australia (staging through Koepang, Timor).

Febr 12th
Dutch PBY Catalina Y48 takes General Wavell to Singapore. After a restless night the crew will fly the General out again the next day.

 

4 oiltankers leave the Pladjoe oil refineries, Sumatra for Batavia (Djakarta), Java in order to get as many oil out before enemy actions make it impossible. The ships are attacked by enemy bombers with the "Merula" being hit by bombs around 14:30 hours. After 1,5 hour her own oil suply is hit and the engine stops working. 44 survivors being picked up by Australian corvet "Toowoomba".  A small number of the crew return to Merula and a townline is established with Norwegian tanker "Herborg" (4 of the tankers sail under Norwegian flag). However the attemp has to be given up soon as the Merula is lost. The next day Dutch oil tanker "Manvantara" is also lost by enemy planes during her sailing to Batavia.

 

11 B-17's bomb enemy ships in the vicinity of Macassar. One flight of three reporting hitting a ship.

Edited February 15, 2022 by Heliopause