Malaya What If

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Wednesday 03 December;

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park sat in the rattan chair in his office, the telephone to his ear, listening, while Air Commodore Stanley Vincent, RAF 224 Group, on the other end, reported on his own personal satisfaction over the recent series of exercises undertaken by his fighters working with the radar network in Johore and on Singapore Island. The radar stations had all successfully picked up ‘hostile’ incursions, quickly with a reasonably good degree of accuracy, and the relaying of that information to the appropriate fighter squadrons had gone well, aircraft being scrambled in good time. He pointed out, as he always did, the lack of VHF ground-to-air radiotelephony, was still a major concern, but the HF repeater tender at Mersing had made a change, along with a permanent HF repeater station at Kluang, meaning the controller had, with a small, time delay, via the repeater stations, controlled the aircraft over most of eastern Johore.

Vincent’s Group was supported by the COL stations, 511 in South-East Johore, 512 in South-West Johore, 575 on a hill near Kota Tinggi, and 250 TRU on Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore, all linking to the Air Defence Ops Rooms at Katong, in Singapore. The telephone network had been extensively overhauled, and was no longer part of the public system, it functioned much better now. As a backup, they also had a VHF radio link to the Cathay ‘Eye’, the highest building in Singapore by a mile, who then relayed the messages on to Katong. This meant that Vincent’s two wings of Hurricane fighters would be given plenty of notice of any incoming air raids on Singapore.

By UK standards it was poor at best, but it worked and Park wasn’t going to get anything better for a long while, but what was beginning to concern him more was the rest of Malaya, where the radar coverage was spotty. Middle Malaya, at Kampung Tok Muda, on the northern banks of the river Kaper Besar, 9 miles north of Port Swettenham was 514 COL, operational since late July. She covered the northern land and sea approaches to Kuala Lumpur and Port Swettenham, and fed both Katong and Penang. On the east coast at Kuantan, 518 COL station also fed Katong, as well as the local airfield, but the telephone calls to Katong did take a little while to connect, easy ten minutes could be lost making the connection, and the radio link was at the mercy of atmospheric conditions.

Even more concerning was at Kota Bharu, where there was a TRU, 243, her antennas used 120-foot wooden towers, and reported to the local airfield, who then passed on information to its sister airfield at Gong Kedah, and the control rooms in Penang and Singapore, although these again were never timely calls, not that that really mattered given the distances away.

It was expected that the Japanese, during air observation flights, would had noticed the construction of those masts. A good bit of counter espionage had been done when a young RAF officer had ‘sold’ details to an enquiring Japanese spy in Singapore, about the planned use of these installations, before he was transferred away. The ruse was they were Radio Direction Finders of some description, possibly to locate any invasion fleet, by its broadcasted signals.

The Ops Centre at Glugor, Penang was served by the Col station 513, at Bukit Huma on the northern end of Penang Island, along with 244 TRU up on Kedah Peak, she controlled the fighter wing of Archie Wann’s RAF 223 Group, with squadrons based at Bayan Lepas, on Penang Island, Kuala Ketil, and Alor Star airfields. This Ops Centre was also earmarked to manage the airspace over Southern Thailand and for this reason, the two newly arrived MRU’s, 306 and 307, both fitted onto a couple of Crossley trucks, were waiting in Northern Malaya for Operation Matador, should it be called, for deployment in Thailand.

More radar stations were on the way, he was promised another three, but they weren’t scheduled to arrive until early February, with others due later on in March and April. There were ongoing work building facilities at a number of locations in readiness of their arrival. His other interest in radar, was how RAF 27 Squadron was progressing with four of their Blenheim Mk I’s configured as night fighters, fitted with AI Mk IV radar and a gun pack of four .303 Brownings under the fuselage, whose practice interceptions at the moment had been a bit hit or miss.

But for now, with the international stage becoming more unsettled, Park would rest a little easier knowing the network and fighter squadrons gave him a reasonable defensive coverage for Singapore, along with all the AA guns sited around. The big naval base and the major port of Singapore, along with the city itself was probably the best defended in the Far East.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Thursday 04 December;

The patrol aircraft had nearly caught them out, it was only the sharp eyes of the lookout in the predawn light and the polished practice of the team that had enabled them to dive quick enough to avoid detection. Even so it was a sweaty moment for Lt Cdr Knox and the crew of HMS Regent. Patrol activity had significantly increased these past few days, the Japanese were up to something, a major exercise or something more? He would pull back ten miles and use the hydrophones for a while, he couldn’t risk remaining on the surface during the day, what with the regular patrol craft sweeps and the flights of aircraft overhead.

In Samah harbour, Hainan Island, they were ready, the last troops loaded overnight, sailing orders issued, and everyone had steam up. The light cruiser Sendai led, crawling forward at 8 knots, to allow those following to catch up, with several destroyers, who hurried the transports into their carefully planned sailing formations as they emerged from the anchorage. It took a good three hours for all 18 transports to come out, catch up and join formation. These ships were the pick of the Japanese Merchant Marine, all fast ships capable of 18 knots. Onboard was Lt Gen Yamashita and the first wave of the 25th Army, mostly of the 5th Infantry Division.

Following them out was the heavy cruiser Chokai, Flag of Vice Admiral Ozawa, commanding the Malaya Invasion Group, the close support forces, leading out the four heavy cruisers of CruDiv 7, commanded by Rear Adm Kurita in his flagship Kumano, with Mogami, Mikuma and Suzuya following. The 3rd Destroyer Sqn was attached, with four DesDivs, totalling 14 destroyers, some used as convoy escorts, others for fleet duties.

Also coming out with them were the auxiliary seaplane carriers Kamikawa Maru and Sanyo Maru carrying an assortment of seaplanes, including Aichi E13a ‘Jake’, Mitsubishi F1M ‘Pete’ and a number of the older Nakajima E8N ‘Dave’, to be used for CAP, anti-submarine patrols and maritime reconnaissance, plus the light cruiser Kinu, flagship of SubRon 4.

At a similar time, 650 Nmi’s to the north-east, the Main Body of the Southern Fleet was leaving Mako in the Pescadores Islands. They would provide distant cover for both the Malay and Philippine invasion forces, and later the Borneo invasion forces. Vice Admiral Kondo, CO of the Main Body, was also overall commander of the IJN in southern waters. He sailed in his flagship, the heavy cruiser Atago, along with her sister Takao, the two fast battleships Kongo and Haruna, and the eight destroyers from the 4th and 8th DesDivs.

The reason why these forces were so dispersed, was all part of the general deception plan, along with signals from dummy ships masquerading as the Kido Butai, all to try and achieve strategic surprise. However, many transports were having to gather in Cam Ranh Bay, their lack of speed meaning they had to be predisposed. With them were a number of smaller escorts, sub chasers, minesweepers and patrol craft.

Later that day, after nightfall HMS Regent surfaced and signalled in a report of large numbers of IJN units including heavy cruisers, along with transports leaving Samah, heading south. Further north off the Pescadores Islands HMS Rainbow did the same thing, her commander, Lt Cmdr Moore sending a similar report of increase patrol and air activity culminating in the sailing of lots of warships, including at least one battleship, to the southwest.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Thursday 04 December;

Burma as a country, in the main, is shaped like an elongated bowl, with mountain ranges to the north, east and west, and the Andaman Sea curving around its southern coastline. The additional parts are a small stretch of land, known as the Arakan, lying along the coast, west of the western mountain range, to the east, a large chunk of the eastern mountain range, known as the Shah States, and south east, the western side of the Kra Isthmus. There are three main river systems in Burma, all running north-south. In the east is the Salween and then the Sittang, but both are only navigable for a short distance, and in the west is the Irrawaddy, and its major tributary, the Chindwin.

The Irrawaddy basin is the heartland of Burma, where most of the population live, and where most of the industrial and commercial activity is conducted. It had developed here centuries ago, thanks to the superb waterway system, which could be navigate up as far as Bhamo, 170 miles upriver from Mandalay, and only 50 miles from the Chinese border, in all seasons, and up to Myitkyina, another 125 miles, for seven months of the year. With the arrival of the British, these waterways were further exploited by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, whose small river paddle steamers expanded river trade massively.

With the waterways being so successful, the development of an all-weather road and rail system lagged, there being just over 2,000 miles of metre gauge railway. The main line ran from Rangoon, through Pegu and Toungoo, up the Sittang River valley to Mandalay. Here it crossed the Ava Bridge onto the western bank, the only one crossing the Irrawaddy River, continuing up to Myitkyina. Branch lines ran, from Pyinmana to Kyaukpadaung, to service the oil fields around Yenangyaung, while at Thazi, an important rail junction, a line ran east to the holidaying hill stations around Kalaw, and another ran west to Myingyan, before looping back, rejoining the mainline at Mandalay. Also, starting at Mandalay, was the branch line to Lashio, from which the strategic Burma Road ran to Kumming, in China. There were two other lines, Rangoon to Prome, with branch lines to Bassein and Kyangin, and from Pegu, running east to Martaban at the mouth of the Salween River, via the important Sittang Railway Bridge. From Martaban there was a railway ferry which connected to Moulmein, the railway line then continuing down to Ye in Tenasserim.

The road network was worse, the main all-weather road followed the railway line up the Sittang valley, through Toungoo and Meiktila to Mandalay. Two roads ran east off this, from Meiktila through Loilem to Takaw on the Salween River and, after crossing the ferry at Takaw, continued as far as Kengtung, while the second left at Toungoo to Loilem. There was also an all -weather road up the Irrawaddy valley to Prome; this continued through Magwe and Yenangyaung to Myingyan, Meiktila and Mandalay but, as it lacked bridges over the major rivers, was not always passable after heavy rains. Most other roads were very weather dependant, and could only take light traffic.

All these north-south lines of communications, anchored at Rangoon, it was the start or finish of most journeys, and as the Capital city and main port, the all-important administrative and commercial centre of Burma. Its population of over half a million was very cosmopolitan, most of the municipal and dock labourers were Indians. With overland routes to bordering counties being merely tracks, the terrain making the building of road or rail links financially prohibitive, the sea way was key.

Regular shipping services sailed to Calcutta and Madras, others to Singapore and Australia, as well as local ones to Akyab, Moulmein, Tavoy and Mergui. The greater part of Burma’s imports and exports flowed through the port, Teak and Wolfram ore, significant exports along with rice, the single most important one, averaging 3 million tons per annum, both economically and politically, feeding not just Malaya, but India, which simply couldn’t feed itself. Across the Bago River from Rangoon, the oil refinery at Syriam exported 6.5 million barrels of Burma’s yearly output, fed by a pipeline from the oil fields. All military stores, equipment and reinforcements arrived through Rangoon, as did the tons of lend lease bound for Chiang Kai Shek’s China.

And yet, despite that, the port, just like the rest of Burma, was virtually defenceless. Eleven miles downstream of Rangoon, at Dry Tree Point, the Burma Auxiliary Force had a battery of two 6-inch Mk VII coastal guns, one 12-pdr naval antiaircraft gun, three HCD coastal artillery searchlights and two Lewis machine guns, mounting guard on the river. But naval ships were scarce, and what they had were manned by the Burma RNVR, with only two auxiliary minesweepers protecting Rangoon, and five HDML motor launches to patrol the waterways. Across the Rangoon River, the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company had its shipyards, and four Basset class naval trawlers were being built, but were still many months away from completion. The East Indies Squadron RN, supported by a few Royal Indian Navy ships, would escort any troopships, and patrol the shipping lanes with cruisers and AMC’s, looking for German raiders, but that was as far as it went.

Today was just another busy day in the life of the port, the BTC tanker, British Duchess had just taken on a full load of crude oil and was heading south, bound for Singapore. At first light the 4,360-ton passenger/cargo steamer, SS Chilka had left loaded with rice, bound for Calcutta. On arrival, and once unloaded, she would be given a complete overhaul, degaussed by the wiping method, a number of internal modifications made, including one cargo hold becoming a magazine for carrying ammunition, a 3-inch AA gun installed on the stern, and a Lewis gun on each bridge wing, painted grey, and called a troop transport.

An hour after Chilka, the Norwegian flagged SS Fingal, just over 2,000 tons, loaded with teak and 40 tons of Wolfram ore, left, bound for Sydney. Passing her close to the mouth of the river was the British 2,360-ton passenger-cargo steamer Chak Sang, in ballast, arriving to take another cargo of rice to Madras. On board were twenty-three passengers, eleven of which were Indian Army officers, promoted to staff positions in Burma’s command structure, and four newly commissioned ECO’s taking posts in Burma’s infantry battalions. Mid-afternoon would see the sailing of the 2,000-ton British Straits Steamship Kamuning with a cargo of rice for Colombo, Celyon. A late arrival would be the Panamanian-flagged merchant Nord from Calcutta, with 2,500 tons of coal for the coaling station. And it all flowed through Rangoon, the gateway to Burma.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Thursday 04 December;

Sergeant Okazaki walked back into his tent, his mind buzzing with the exciting news he’d just been given by his squadron leader. News had come in that the injury to his flight leader was a lot more serious than had first been thought, was in hospital, and he wouldn’t be joining them. Consequently, Okazaki was being given temporary command of the flight, for the foreseeable future.

The 11th Sentai, along with many others, had begun its redeployment from Manchuria in mid-November, the aircraft flying down in stages, along the Chinese coast, and onto Hainan Island, before jumping across to northern Indo-China, and down that coast, finally flying in this morning into Kukan, a small airfield, recently completed by Korean labourers on the island of Phu Quoc, one of two airfields, the other, Duong Dong, being about 3 miles south.

The journey had been quite arduous, and several aircraft and pilots had been involved in accidents along the way, including his flight leader, who had landed heavily on Hainan Island, and flipped his aircraft over. They had pressed on the next day, leaving the flight leader there, who had insisted that he had only suffered minor cuts and bruises, and would be able to catch them up as soon as his aircraft was made serviceable. Well, the examination by a doctor had revealed a broken collarbone, and several cracked ribs, ending his hopes of an early return.

Okazaki gathered a small note book and pencil, and left the tent in search of the new flight replacement, who would be joining him and his friend Sgt Nakazawa. He also had to go see the sergeant in charge of the ground crew assigned to the flight, and establish an understanding of how things would work here. As he walked through a row of tents, he couldn’t help thinking how primitive the whole place was, a sod airstrip, and a tent city arranged around the edges, set in several groupings of tents.

The noise of an aircraft coming into land had him turning his head to watch. It was one of the new type 1 fighters, a Hayabusa, which equipped the 59th Sentai, the other fighter group they shared the airfield with. Her landing gear was down, but could be retracted, something his Type 97 fighter with its fixed landing gear, was incapable of. He’d been told the bigger aircraft was 40 mph faster and had more than twice the range of his plane, while being just as manoeuvrable. Publicly he was proud of his aircraft, but privately he yearned for a Hayabusa.

It was raining again, hard, another shower, and would last for 10 minutes, maybe 30 minutes, and then the sun would be out, steaming out the moisture. Okazaki ran along the tent rows, his feet splashing in the surface water, across a small drainage ditch full of water, bridged by a couple of planks, and into the maintenance section. Despite the noise of the rain, he heard the aircraft’s engine scream in protest as it was pushed to full power, the pilot having misjudged his approach and was now desperately trying to clear the tree line, and go around again. It barely made it, but did, was safe and would be able to make a second attempt, something that a previous aircraft hadn’t been able to do, its wreckage still visible among the jungle tree line.

The last Hayabusa touched down, the 59th had arrived, and with her the redeployment was complete. The 11th and 59th Sentai at Kukan, and the 77th Sentai with the Type 97 and 64th Sentai, again with the new type 1 fighter, up the road at Duong Dong. All of them cramped in with primitive maintenance facilities, poised, ready to support any Japanese invasion of Malaya, Thailand or both.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Thursday 04 December;

The rush had been on for over a week now, with the need to free up dockyard resources for other ships. They were ten days earlier than scheduled, commissioning quayside on Tuesday, as HMS Kelantan, with fresh grey paint, a venerable 4-inch gun on a raised platform forward, newly installed ASDIC mounted in the hull with a small office built into the back of the bridge, a couple of Lewis guns on the wing, and a rolling rack of depth charges on the stern. The Dutch minelayer HNLMS Gouden Leeuw, quayside behind her, was several days behind her on completing the ASDIC fitting schedule, while the destroyer Van Nes was still in dry dock having her dome fitted, both as part of the ongoing promised upgrade of Dutch warships with ASW equipment.

Yesterday was spent moored in the Straits, with lighters in attendance, taking on fuel, food, water, ammunition and general supplies, as well as the last of the crew joining them. Lt Richardson RNR, Kelantan’s captain, now in Royal Naval uniform, was very unhappy with the state of affairs he found himself in. He’d kept most of the ship’s professionals, now also in uniform, and had gained a couple of very green sub lieutenants, and a small ASDIC crew, but a lot of the crew were now Malay seamen fresh from training school.

This morning, he’d had the pleasure of a visit from Commodore Stanfield, who’s Inshore Squadron they had joined. They had taken coffee in his cabin, once a nicely furnished room, but now much stripped down, the fineries stored away in some Straits Steamship warehouse. He’d kept his Chinese cabin servant, but many of the others had gone, their quarters now inhabited by the young Malay gun crews, signallers, and deck hands, most of whom had never been on anything bigger than a launch he suspected. His orders were to proceed to Kuantan, working up while on passage, with an overnight stop at Mersing, dropping off supplies for the garrison there. Stanfield wanted him to get to know the area well, as he would be taking over the patrol from HMS Lipis.

And so, it was well gone 2pm before they left, led by a little HDML launch, they threaded through the gathered warships. Two huge grey warships were passed, the Prince of Wales quayside, with chains of seamen passing supplies deep down into the depths of the ship, and Repulse, still in dry dock. The cruisers and destroyers, with every supply ship or lighter available in attendance. Then came smaller ships, a couple of recently built Australian corvettes, some small requisitioned coastal steamers, and a number of auxiliary minesweepers.

A small freighter slid by, making her way to the Naval base, she’d been part of a WS slow convoy, among her cargo was 33 Merlin engines, 20 drop tanks, three crated aircraft, two Swordfish and a Dragon Rapide, and a dozen machine tools, all for the RAF. She’d have to moor in the straits and wait her turn, her chosen berth already taken by an old tramp steamer, which had recently arrived from Canada, via Hawaii, with another fourteen crated Hurricanes, along with more railway engineering stores.

Through the net gates now, past the big guns up on the hillside at Changi, another patrol ship coming the other way, which he quickly recognised as Raub, and there was his old friend Henman, still her captain, but now in a lieutenant’s uniform waving at him. He returned the wave, while studying the ship, rust streaks and some dented panels told him she’d been working hard.

Later, they were just entering the South China Sea, leaving the Straits, and it was time for some gun practice for the 4-inch. A couple of small uninhabited islands had some rather large brightly painted targets prominently situated, which they could safely practice on. The Sub Lt had drilled his crew for about an hour, but now they would fire off a half dozen HE, they couldn’t do more, they only had about 40 rounds in total. The first two shots were disappointing, but the third actually hit the first island, and then it was time to shift target to the second island. This time they had a bit more success, one round looked like it had showered sand over the target, certainly the gun crew look happy enough about it. Richardson just hoped the noise might frighten off any enemy, it certainly did to the birds nesting on the island.

The anti-submarine training using ASDIC was promised later, and her operators were keen to assure him they knew what to do. But what he could say with confidence was his signalling party knew their business, as they conversed with passing ships, using both semaphore and flags.

Entering the South China Sea, they headed north and ran into bad weather, squalls and a heavy sea breaking on their starboard bow, causing him to reduce speed to 6 knots. This will be interesting he thought, now we’ll see who’s got their sea legs, and with a wicked smile he called action stations, the first time for the ship’s crew at sea. He loved this ship, and the many years he’d had in her, was filled with trepidation about the future, but it was their turn to do their bit for the war, and they would do their best.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941 Thursday 04 December;

With the withdrawal of the New Zealand Division came something of a lull in the fighting, both sides were exhausted and the weather had turned bad. The opportunity was taken by many units to rest, repair and resupply, while the Generals above them re-appraised the situation. For now, Rommel had been successful, the British attack beaten back, Tobruk still under siege, but his strength greatly weakened. The British on the other hand, had reinforcements to call on, and they did, determined to continue the offensive.

The 5th New Zealand Brigade didn’t withdraw with the rest of its division, instead it now came under the command of the 2nd South African Division, which had been brought forward to relieve the 4th Indian Division at the border. For now, these forces would contain the Axis border units in their defensive positions at Bardia, Sollum and Halfaya, which were too weak to break out, but being well dug in, difficult to eliminate.

Auchinleck had arrived at 8th Army’s Headquarters, and while he allowed Ritchie time to planned the next move, he was keen to keep the pressure on Rommel. In the meantime, he ordered a number of units forward to reinforce Ritchie’s forces. The British 1st Armoured Division had arrived in Egypt by late November, and he ordered its armoured car regiment (12th Lancers), along with the divisional artillery to join 8th Army. At the same time, its 2nd Armoured Brigade was ordered to begin intensive desert training in preparation to being committed later.

In addition, he brought forward the newly formed 38th Indian Infantry Bde from Egypt, the 1st Royal Dragoons armoured cars from Syria, and of the 50th Northumbrian Division, its Divisional Recon Battalion from Palestine, and its 150th Brigade from Cyprus, concentrating them at Maaten Baggush, 25 miles east of Marsa Matruh, creating a new reserve, although they would take some time to make this move.

Rommel tried to take advantage while the British reorganised, a couple of German probes towards Bardia, along the Via Bardia and Trigh Capuzzo, hoping to release the frontier forces had been slapped back on the 2nd, and an attack on the British 14th Bde holding El Duda on the edge of the Tobruk perimeter on the 4th also failed. But with the Indian 4th Division now coming west from the border, the initiative swung back to the British. The brigades, all fully mobile, would operate separately, the first to be committed was the 11th Indian Bde.

The British employed it as the spearhead of a sweep up from the south, towards El Adem, and then onto Tobruk, with the 4th Armoured and 22nd Guards Bdes in support, the Guards swapping roles with the unenthusiastic 1st South African Bde. But in the way was the strongpoint six miles north of Bir El Gubi, at Point 182, previously held by the Ariete Division, but now just by the two battalions of the Giovani Fascisti battle group, who were equipped with 47mm guns, machine guns, mortars and a few light tanks. Young fascist volunteers, they were highly motivated, and considered themselves as elite troops, wearing black fez’s instead of helmets a particular feature of theirs.

The first attack went in on the 3rd December, following a night march which brought the Indians round to the west of the position, and was partly successful. Supported by Valentine tanks, and both Medium and Field artillery, the attacks were continued, but the Italians proved to be more than capable of holding on, inflicting heavy losses on the Indian Bde. At this same time British reconnaissance units had capture and destroyed two Italian supply dumps, northwest of Bir El Gubi, seriously harming Italian logistics.

The British thrust from the south was a real concern for Rommel, a worry that a drive north could link up with the Tobruk garrison at EL Duda, cutting off, not just the Axis frontier forces, but the Italian troops on the eastern perimeter of the Tobruk siege lines, as well as the Afrika Korps. Other information reaching Rommel was the perilous state of his logistics, of the last 22 ships sent from Italy, 14 had been sunk, 60% of his expected supplies. Further, the lull had allowed the Africa Korps to fully determine their losses, and they were grievous, including 142 tanks.

At this point Rommel realised the game was up, and a tactical retreat, saving what he could was required. There was little could be done for the frontier forces, but the German 90th (Afrika) Division and the Italian 25th Bologna Division on the eastern side of Tobruk were ordered to withdraw back around El Duda. Nevertheless, the British thrust from the south had to be countered and the Panzer Divisions were pulled back west along the Trigh Capuzzo and then swung south, the 8th Panzer Regt overrunning part of the 11th Indian Bde, and disrupting further attacks on point 182, relieving the pressure on the Giovani Fascisti battlegroup. Gambara’s Italian XX Corps, consisting of the Ariete and Trieste Divisions, was supposed to go with them, but crippled with fuel shortages, and harried by the ‘jock Columns’ of the British 7th Support Bde attacking them, they never arrived.

Despite his intelligence staff reporting, backed by RAF observations, that the Axis had begun to retreat, Ritchie was still very cautious, and this Panzer attack did nothing to lessen that. Fearful of Rommel springing another surprise, Ritchie kept 4th Armoured around Bir El Gubi to support 11th Indian and 22nd Guards Brigades, intent on taking Point 182 first, affording Rommel more time to disengage.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Friday 05 December;

The wheels of the big twin engined bomber briefly touched ground, skipped and then touched more firmly, taking the weight of the aircraft and ran along the runway, a light spray of water flicking off the grass. It was a good landing made by an experienced pilot. The aircraft slowed and then turned and began taxiing back alongside the landing strip towards the group of men. Another was now touching down, with a further 34 aircraft enroute, some already banked up in the sky, waiting their turn.

Rear Admiral Sadaichi Matsunaga, CO of the 22 Naval Air Flotilla, stood in the light rain, a small satisfied smile on his face. Ever since the message from Admiral Yamamoto telling him that he was being reinforced with part of the Kanoya Air Group last Sunday, he’d waited in anticipation. The news of the arrival of the battleship Prince of Wales in eastern waters had sent a ripple of professional excitement around IJN senior officer circles, but for him it was also the weight of expectation on his shoulders to ensure that the threat was neutralised. His two air groups, Mihoro and Genzan, were first class units, but were equipped with the older Type 96 Rikko, while the Kanoya’s had just been equipped with the new Type 1. The Kanoya air group was arriving with three of her four Hikotai or squadrons of nine aircraft, each with three reserves.

The G4M Model 11 was the latest IJN attack bomber, replacing the G3M, although variants of that aircraft would remain in production until 1943. The G4M was a bigger aircraft, being over 3,000 lb heavier, but fitted with two Mitsubishi MK4A Kasei 11 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, each providing 1,530 hp. This delivered a top speed at altitude of 270 mph, 40 mph faster that the G3M, a cruising speed of nearly 200 mph, and an increase in range over the G3M. This performance was assisted by the continued practice of maintaining a structural lightness and an almost total lack of protection for the crew, with no armour plating or self-sealing fuel tanks.

The bomber had been guided to a stand, close to the Admiral. The aircrew climbed out and one walked over to him, stopped just short and saluted. Standing beside the Admiral, Captain Naoshiro Fujiyoishi, CO of the Kanoya Air Group, who had flown in two days before in a Ki 46, introduced him to Lt Cmdr Shichiso Miyauchi, the leader of the flight and an expert in torpedo operations. With the arrival that morning in Saigon of the transport Keiyo Maru, carrying aviation fuel, stores and more importantly Type 91 Kai 2 aerial torpedoes, the move would soon be complete.

The Tan Son Nhut airfield was crammed with aircraft far beyond its capacity, already home to the Ki-21 Sally’s of the 98th Heavy Air Regt, and the G3M Nell’s of the Genzan air group, now they were squeezing in the Kanoya’s, who’s allocated part of the airfield, despite continuing work, had the wettest and roughest ground, great care being needed when taxiing to their stands. The only saving grace was the aircrew would be accommodated in a couple of commandeered hotels in nearby Saigon, quite what their ground crews thought of that, living and working in the small tented village around the airfield, wasn’t known, but no one would be bothering to ask them anyway.

20 kilometres up the road was the old Saigon civil airfield, Thu Dau Moi, also being shared by the IJN and IJA air forces. Here they were struggling to accommodate the 48 G3M Nells of the Mihoro Air Group along with a squadron of Ki 32 light bombers and a smaller unit of Ki 59 light transports. And 90 miles south-west of Saigon, on the edge of the Mekong delta, was the Soc Trang airfield, now home of the Yamada Air group, the fighter component of 22 Air Flotilla, with 25 Zero’s and another 11 Claude fighters.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Friday 05 December:

8th Indian Infantry Brigade HQ was a small collection of buildings which had previously been a school and attached teacher’s residence, now enlarged with additional tents and vehicles. Brigadier Berthold Key sat in his office, the former headmaster's drawing room, with his old friend and mentor, Major General Arthur Barstow, his and the 9th Indian Division’s commanding officer, both with a glass of whisky in hand.

“I must say, Billy old chap, I think you’ve worked wonders with what you have, the brigade looks to have the area well secured. And the way you integrated the two machine gun companies of Middlesex into the beach defences with the Dogras and Frontier Force is to be commended.”

“Well Arthur, if you’re comparing me with Henry Moorhead’s 41st Brigade, then his two battalions in line have to cover 10 miles each, as opposed to the 5 miles my two have, I have two companies of machine guns, where as he has only one, and one of his two battalions is the Second Gurkhas, who are a bloody liability!”

“Yes, Henry and I had a long chat about them. You’re right, they are as green as grass, but we thought they’d be of better use in fixed defence than being asked to have to maneuverer, as the reserve battalion. I’ve got faith in their CO, Woollcombe; they’ve only been here three months, but he’s making massive strides in training them. They’ll be a good battalion, given time. Jimmy Frith’s Baluch will make a much better reserve; they were part of your brigade a year ago, and know everybody. What about your reserve battalion, the Berkshires?”

“I have a company here with the battalion HQ, another back at Kuala Krai, and two companies over the river, one at Tumpet and the other at the Pasir Mas River crossing. But if we’re attacked, I’ll bring them back over, as we agreed before."

“I think I can help you a little with them. I might get another couple of companies of infantry, Malay or Chinese, not sure what yet, but if I do, I’ll put one in Krai, and you can have that Berkshire company back."

“But while we’re speaking of liabilities, Arthur, I must say I’m really worried about that Indian State battalion you’ve given me, the 1st Bn, Hyderabad Regt. I’ve spoken with the CO, Charles Hendrick, and I’m not impressed by their fighting qualities. They are poorly equipped, with no heavy weapons, one Lewis gun per platoon, and have never faced a shot, Charlie is half expecting them to run at the first shot. They are riddled with Indian Nationalists. I’m forbidding them to mingle with any of my own units, or Henry’s, but they’re bound to have some contact, and it's poisonous. I’d like them out as soon as you can. I’d rather put together something ad hoc to defend the two airfields than have them here. I mean, surely Percival must know how bad they are?”

“Ha Billy, you’ve touched a tender spot there, I’m afraid. We have five of these battalions, two of them in Singapore, all guarding airfields, and your concerns are mirrored about the others too. But you see, old chap, it’s all about politics. The Indian States want to be seen supporting the Empire in its hour of need, and we are desperately short of troops. To turn them away would suggest we’re not so desperate as we claim. In addition, there’s also the slap in the face we’d be giving the Nizam if we said we didn’t want his troops. So I’m afraid we’re rather stuck with them, old boy."

“Arthur, how about I disarm them, just use them as coolies then?"

“Now come along Billy, you know we can’t do that. That would be as bad as sending them back. Look, what I’ll do is, this: if the balloon goes up, I’ll pull them out and stick them somewhere else, I’m not known as Bustling Bill for nothing, although God knows where. Anyway, changing the subject, how’s the 88th Field Artillery Regt doing, are they all settling in ok?”

“As green as grass, haven’t got their knees brown yet, moaning about everything, food, accommodation, heat, you name it. But I’m glad to have their guns here, those 25 pounders give us a bit more range. I’ve put one battery down by Kota Bharu airfield, another here in town, partly because they’re not ready to act as a reserve and partly to counter any funny business from the Hyderabadis, if they play up. The third battery is down at Gong Kedah, and I’ve kept the 7th Independent Mountain Btty up near Kuala Krai, as my reserve artillery. Their CO, Maj Scott, knows his business well."

They paused, sipping the whisky before Key continued, “I had Brigadier Allpress up here last week, looking in on his 3rd Indian HAA Regt. We had dinner together. He’s really pleased with them; says they’re turning into a fine unit, just wishes he had more modern guns. The regiment is spread out all over the state, 3-inch guns everywhere, 4 guns here in town, another 6 at both airfields and the last battery is at the rail head in Kuala Krai. They also have four Naval 2-pdr AA guns, two at each airfield. Their CO, Johnny Yale, ex Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery, is an interesting man, has a good grip on whats going on in his unit, trains them well. He has some interesting things to say about Hong Kong, says he was glad to get out, doesn’t fancy their chances."

“Neither do I, Billy. I know Maj Gen Maltby, Chris and I were brigadiers in India. A good steady man, but I’d rather think he’s drawn the short straw by getting Hong Kong, for all the prestige that comes with it. You want to know more, ask Stewart, the Middlesex CO. He can tell you some stories about Hong Kong and what goes on there."

Billy Key swirled the last of his whisky around the glass, and then knocked it back, finishing with a satisfied ah. “Another one, Arthur old chap?”

Arthur Barstow finished his glass, gave a little smile and said, “It would be rude not to, eh! How's that RAF AMES thingy doing, Billy? Park’s made a big fuss about getting it here and installed as soon as possible, got it made a priority to be delivered up here to us, had a train delayed over it even, I’m told."

“Yes, I popped in to see them yesterday. They’re about 800 yards north of the airfield, on the highest piece of ground around here, not that you can notice it much. They’re nicely camouflaged in with the jungle, although those two ruddy great wooden towers they’ve built means it wouldn’t be hard to find them, if you’re close in to the coast, or by any low flying aircraft. I’ve had to devote a whole company down there to defend all that area, along with minefields and wire. Signals have run a couple of lines from it to the airfield, and us here in town; they’ll let us know anything untoward if they spot it."

“Yes, it is rather ridiculous having them right on the coast. Same goes for the airfields, a bloody destroyer could hit the lot if it had a mind for it. They should never have been allowed to build them here. You have to blame that Babington fellow, the one Park’s replaced. He’s the one that thought this was a good idea, and by the time Park’s got here it was already built, utter madness!” Barstow stood up, and walked to the window. A heavy rain was falling outside. “It never stops bloody raining here."

“It’s monsoon season, we’ll get a lot of it, I’m told. So, what's going to happen, Arthur? If this is the Japanese invasion fleet that’s coming, will Gort go for Matador?”

“God only knows, or rather Gort only knows, Billy. It’s a dicey little thing he’s got to make his mind up on: are they coming or is this just posturing? God forbid we find ourselves at war with Japan, and the Americans sit and watch it out."

“Even so, Arthur, Matador would give me a couple of weeks, maybe a month or more if things go well, and every day counts."

“Billy old chap, if it does kick off, and things don’t go well, we’re in a bit of a precarious position: everything comes here down that one single track railway. A bridge destroyed and at a stroke I’ve lost contact with two thirds of my division. And imagine if we have to pull out, it's everyone back down that one single track. It gives me the willies, Billy, and that’s the truth."

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

Summary to Date

OK, we’re only ten posts from kick-off, and this is probably a good place to have a review of where we are in this alternate defence of Malaya. I promised months ago that I would post OOBs to help people follow the conflict as it unfolds, but more recently, there have been requests to provide an overview of the changes to the historical path, and my reasonings behind those changes. And that seems a very fair point to me, so here goes.

My POD started with Britain yielding to Japanese pressure to close the Burma Road in July 1940, which had raised great concerns over the defence and security of British interests in the Far East. Adding to the little that was done to improve the defences in the Far East, I had Pound stopping the transfer of the four Rainbow class submarines to the Med, while Dill authorised the expansion of the Malay Regt and the raising of two British officered Chinese regiments, the Singapore (Chinese) Regt and the Hong Kong (Chinese) Regt. Both of these changes tests the plausibility of my timeline. Regarding the submarines, the Royal Navy needed every submarine it could spare for the Med, to stop Italian supplies to North Africa, along with the advancing creep of the Axis in the Eastern Med. The second is more about Britain's underlying concern about the growth of Communism among the Chinese, and fear that Communists might penetrate the British system.

A month later, with Japan moving into Northern French Indo-China, I used the opportunity to highlight the squabbles between the Army and RAF in Malaya, and allude to the poor civil administration, both of which were known, but ignored. In my TL, Churchill is more decisive, replacing the military and civilian leadership except for the Royal Navy. Placing Andrew Caldecott there is somewhat tricky. At the time, he was firefighting in Ceylon, where there was growing nationalism, but I don’t think the move is too much of a stretch. Lord Gort for Brooke-Popham is giving preference to the Army over the RAF, as the Army will be the senior partner in any defence of the Far East for some time. Gort is very much part of the establishment, and politically a reasonable choice. Park is a different thing, a talent, who has fallen foul of RAF politics, and I think I can use that excuse to take him.

The October local commander’s appreciation of what was needed to defend Malaya gave me my next opportunity for changes. Finding aircraft for the RAF is quite hard. The Fairey Battles are very much make do, but they were no longer front line in Europe, and there were a lot of them, so I feel safe sending them, and I’ve retained the Buffalos, while slightly increasing the Blenheims. Reducing the Hong Kong garrison to something more symbolic is often suggested, and I’ve followed that idea. Those forces go to Malaya, as well as a couple of British infantry battalions which should have gone to or stayed in India. That’s a bit naughty: there were already fewer units there than the CoS would have liked for security reasons. Also, at this time the Admiralty floated (do you like the pun) the idea of an American naval squadron being based in Singapore, which Roosevelt slapped down when Churchill mentioned it. In my TL, Churchill really takes this to heart, recognising the USA will not defend British Empire colonies, although at this moment he still retains the hope that the Americans will manage any Japanese aggression.

Next, I have the Singapore Conference in November 1940, where closer cooperation between the British, Dutch and Americans is discussed. I have remained historically true to the American position, as I have hopefully throughout the TL, until the shooting starts, but I have allowed the British a little more leeway in working with the Dutch. So, given Churchill’s appreciation that he will get no help from the Americans in holding Malaya, he has quietly lent leaned on the Dominions to do more voluntarily in whatever way they can. New Zealand really can’t do much, the two Article XV sqns I have are merely recognising the two sqns of fighter they manned historically. I lean towards them finding more aircrew for the FAA, which will now expand by two squadrons, one of Swordfish, the other, a bit later with navalized Buffalos. This is another reach on my part: expanding the FAA was difficult in the early war years, due in part to aircraft numbers. The Australians are able to do better, earmarking the entire 8th Australian Division to Malaya, as opposed to holding back the 23rd Bde, and a few other units, which they did historically. She has also raised two Independent Companies for Malaya, as well as a Medium Artillery Regt, using ex-Hong Kong and Indian guns. And she has contributed more aircrew, allowing extra Article XV squadrons.

South Africa has not provided any forces; her constitution stops them serving outside of Africa, unless they join the British services as individuals. But industrially, she is sending a reasonable amount of war material, including armoured cars. India is able to do a bit more: a second Cavalry Regt is sent, with both regiments to convert to those South African armoured cars. Here I have swapped the 3rd Cavalry for the 5th King Edward VII’s Own Lancers (Probyn’s Horse), and added the 6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers (Watson’s Horse), simply because I have a little thing for these two old regiments. India has also sent five auxiliary battalions of the Indian Pioneer Corps, which are non-combatants, but help immensely with manpower shortages in preparing and constructing defences. She has also provided another two Brigade HQ’s along with associated smaller units, and has seen the raising of six Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regts, equipped with the nearly obsolete 3-inch AA gun.

The last Dominion to help is Canada, who, despite not sending C-Force to Hong Kong, has contributed massively. Firstly, two of the auxiliary cruisers, HMCS Prince David and Prince Henry, have been altered differently to from their historical rebuild, retaining an ability to carry up to 450 troops/passengers, while keeping all their other military improvements. These ships have been transporting Canadian servicemen to Singapore/Malaya, where a significant RCAF presence has been established. Five Article XV RCAF squadrons have been raised; also two airfield construction companies and a Royal Canadian Signals communication construction company are deployed and a decent number of Canadians are serving in the expanded radar network that Keith Park is building. But more importantly than its her military contribution, is the war materials it she is supplying. Generous amounts of rails and railway engineering equipment is are being shipped, along with cement, and other important building materials. Large numbers of motor vehicles are being supplied, and lastly, over 150 Hurricane aircraft, minus their engines, have been sent. All of it is carried by Canadian chartered tramp steamers crossing the Pacific, which don't have to be convoyed.

Britain has done more too, robbing West African ports of designated radar units to provide Keith Park with a reasonably effective network covering Singapore, as well a few strategically placed in Northern Malaya. The replacement of the Buffalo by the Hurricane is a second major step in providing a decent air defence. The recognition that the Hurricane is no longer a premier fighter in Western Europe, doesn’t detract from the fact that it can do a good job in the Far East. Its robust design allows it to work off poor airfields, as well as take quite a bit of damage, and it can be repaired easier.

Even though the Dominions have given more, Churchill and the RAF have had to alter strategy. They have sent 200 aero engines to power the Hurricanes, and shipped less war material to the USSR, the Hurricane being the most obvious reduction. Britain has also sent further units: 151 Wing of RAF fighters, a regiment of Valentine tanks, a company of Royal Marines, and small increases in Wrens, staff officers, etc, while extra equipment includes 180 3-inch AA guns, ASDIC, and specialist vehicles.

Locally, Malaya and Hong Kong have done their bit, Hong Kong recruiting probably over extra 5,000 Chinese for the local armed forces, as well as another 3,000 in civil defence duties. For Malaya, another 3,500 Malays are in the Army, as well as 3,000 Chinese, and more of both serve with the RAF and Royal Navy. Also, Lord Gort has taken the brave decision to disband many volunteer forces, enabling a lot of the Europeans to serve in roles much better suited to their own personal skill sets. This is a minus on paper, but in general, performance overall - in administration, planning, and organisation - will be better than it was historically.

Strategy in Malaya has changed too. Park is putting more emphasis firstly on his southern airfields, and has generally improved defensive measures on them all. Wann’s RAF 223 Group, in northern Malaya, has shaped into a reasonable attacking force, admittedly only with Battles and Blenheims, but Hunter’s RAF 225 Group is still equipped with Hudson and Vildebeest aircraft. However, Vincent’s RAF 224 Group, linked with a working radar network, provides a decent air defence in the south, though somewhat patchy in the north.

The Army under Percival still has the angst of not knowing if Matador is a going concern or not, but it is stronger, a bit better equipped, and somewhat better trained. If Matador happens, it will be led by the Australian 8th Division under Rowell. If Matador doesn’t happen, it will be Godwin-Austen’s Indian III Corps which will defend Kelantan and Kuantan in the east, and the Jitra line in the Northwest, but with a viable backstop line at Gurun. It will also conduct smaller operations into Southern Thailand, i.e. securing the famous ‘Ledge’.

Force Z has arrived, the Prince of Wales has her radars working, and they’ve been augmented, with four cruisers and a few extra destroyers. Working more closely with the Dutch, means the Dutch are contributing to a light squadron, and adding submarines to the small RN flotilla.

But perhaps a bigger change is the attitude among colony residents. They know they are close to war, but it's something they have been preparing for for over a year, recognising they need to train hard and realistically. This has all been driven from the top. Caldecott has persuaded the Malay and Chinese populace to buy into this, with recruitment into the services, and also plenty of contracts awarded to local firms.

Elsewhere, things are less rosy, Burma is as unprepared as it was historically, and Borneo has been stripped of any defensive force, merely left with a denial of resources plan. Hong Kong, also stripped of over half of her garrison, and with no C Force, now relies on recent Chinese recruits to help a small British garrison provide an honourable defence of the colony. In the Philippines, MacArthur holds sway, while Hart is doing all he can to save the Asiatic Fleet. The Dutch are desperately trying to rearm, and Australia has only just realised she needs to take a lot more responsibility for her own defence. Japan is as ready as she’ll ever be. It’s now or never: the die is cast!

Orders of Battle to follow.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

Units or Officers written in italics indicates not historical to this Command


Malaya Command
Lt Gen Arthur Ernest Percival (subordinate to Lord Gort)
HQ - Singapore


III Indian Corps (Malaya except Johore)
Lt Gen Alfred Reade Godwin-Austen (subordinate to Lt Gen Percival)
HQ - Kuala Lumpur


9th Indian Infantry Division
Maj Gen Arthur Edward ‘Bustling’ Barstow
HQ – Kuala Lipis


8th Indian Inf Bde – Kota Bharu

Brig ‘Billy’ Berthold Wells Key
2 Bn Royal Berkshire Regt – Lt Col Alec Pendock Aveline (from India Nov40)
1 Bn 13 Frontier Force Rifles], Lt Col Clarence Gilbert (from India 16Apr41)
3 Bn 17 Dogra Regt, Lt Col George Allen Preston (from India Nov40)
19 Field Coy Bombay S&M IE
7 Independent Indian Mountain Battery, Maj Scott, (4x3.7in Hows, pack mules) at Kuala Krai
88 (2 West Lancashire) Field Regt RA, Lt Col Sylvain Claude D’Aubuz
351 Bty, Maj Ford, 352 Bty, Maj Cornish, 464 Bty, Maj Kelly, all 8x25 Pdrs, Bttys at Kota Bharu, Gong Kedah, and Bachok (these two serving 41st Bde)


41st Indian Inf Bde (41st not historically used) Kelantan beaches south of Kota Bharu down to Besut

Brig Henry Dawson Moorhead
2 Bn 10 Baluch Regt, Lt Col James Frith (or John) (from India Nov40)
2 Bn 12 Frontier Force Regt, Lt Col Arthur Edward Cumming (from India 16Apr41)
2 Bn 2 Gurkha Rifles, Lt Col Geoffrey Harley Douglas Woollcombe (from India 02Sep41)
57 Field Coy Madras S&M IE


22nd Indian Inf Bde - Kuantan

Brig GWA Painter
2 Bn 1 Gurkha Rifles, Lt Col ‘Jack’ Fulton (from India 02Sep41)
2 Bn 18 Royal Garhwal Rifles, Lt Col Guy ERS Hartigan (from India Nov40)
5 Bn 11 Sikh Regt, Lt Col John Parkin (from India 16Apr41)
22 Field Coy Bombay S&M IE, Capt John Eglington Bate
5 Field Regt RA, Lt Col Edward WF Jephson
(73 Bty RA – Maj Don 8 x 4.5in How, 63 Bty – Maj Bland 8 x 4.5in How), third Btty (81) being formed at Port Swettenham 02Dec41. Regt at Kuantan.


Loaned to 9th Indian Div – defending coastal towns of Terengganu
1 Bn Malay Regt, Lt Col James RG André
(HQ, A Coy & D Coy Terengganu, B Coy Dungun, C Coy Chukai)
1 Indep Malay Lt Bty (4 x 18 Pdrs) – CO?
2 guns at Terengganu plus 1 Eng pltn, 2 guns at Dungun plus 1 Eng pltn.
2 Malay Field Eng Coy – CO?


9th Divisional Troops
6 Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers (Watson’s Horse) – CO?
Armd Car Recon Bn (HQ/6, A/6, B/6 and C/6 Sqns), equipped with Marmon Herrington Armd Cars, assigned to 9 Indian Division, based at Camp Mantin, just north of Seremban, arrived 28Nov41, training until 16-18 Feb42

1 Middlesex MG Bn – Lt Col HW (Monkey) Stewart (Coy’s A & B with 8th, C with 41st, D with 22nd Bdes)

42 Field Park Coy (Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners) Capt Thomas W Nash

160 Field Regt RA, Lt Col AFJ Sugden (A & B Btys, 16 x 4.5inch Hows, formed from one Bty of 155 Regt 19May41, declared operational 08Dec41) A third battery, C, would be formed 02Dec41, equipped with 16 3-inch mortars, but not be ready until Feb42 at the earliest. Based at Port Swettenham, awaiting deployment to Kelantan.



11th Indian Infantry Division

Maj Gen David Murray-Lyon
HQ – Sungai Petani


6th Indian Inf Brigade - Jitra Line

Brig William Oswald Lay (from India Oct40)
2 Bn East Surrey Regt, Lt Col George Edward Swinton (from Shanghai Sep40)
1 Bn 8 Punjab Regt, Lt Col Ronald Charles Sidney Bates (from India Nov40)
2 Bn 16 Punjab Regt, Lt Col Henry Sloane Larkin (from India Nov40)
22 Mountain Artillery Regt RA, Lt Col George Leonard Hughes, 4, 10, 21 (Maj John Bertram Soper) and 27 Btys, ea 4x3.7in Hows (from India Sep39)
17 Field Coy Bombay S&M IE


15th Indian Inf Bde - Jitra Line

Brig Kenneth Alfred Garrett
1 Bn Leicestershire Regt, Lt Col Charles Esmond Morrison (from India Feb41)
2 Bn 9 Jat Regt, Lt Col Charles Knowler Tester (from India 25Mar41) LOC duties
1 Bn 14 Punjab Regt, Lt Col ‘James’ Fitzpatrick (from India 25Mar41)
3 Field Coy Bengal S&M IE


35th Indian Inf Bde - (35th not historically used)

Brig Eric Lawrence Wilson-Haffenden
1 Bn Seaforth Highlanders, Lt Col Lindsay Robertson (A&S Hldrs) (from China Nov40)
5 Bn 7 Raiput, LT Col Roger John Edward Cadogan-Rawlinson (from Hong Kong Feb41)
5 Bn 14 Punjab Regt, Lt Col Cyril Stokes (Malaya Pre 1939)
137 Field Regt RA 24 x 25 Pdrs, Lt Col Charles Holmes, 349, 350 & 510 Btys (arr 28Nov41)
59 Field Coy Madras S&M IE


11th Divisional Troops
5 King Edward VII’s Own Lancers (Probyn’s Horse) – Lt Col Claude Ernest Pert
Armd Car Recon Bn (HQ/5, A/5, B/5 and C/5 Sqns), equipped with Marmon Herrington Armd Cars, assigned to 11 Indian Division, based at Camp Mantin, just north of Seremban, arrived 02Sep41, training until 15-17Dec41

1 Bn Manchester Regt, Lt Col Edward Barclay Holmes (Machine Gun Bn) (Malaya Pre 1939)

80 Anti-Tank Rgt RA, Lt Col William ES Napier, (arr 06Nov41) 2 Bty, 215 Bty, 272 Bty, 273 Bty

155 (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Field Regt RA, B & C Btys 16 x 4.5in Hows, Lt Col Augustus Murdoch (from Aug41) A third battery, A, would be formed 02Dec41, equipped with 16 3-inch mortars, but not be ready until Feb42 at the earliest. Based at Port Swettenham.

26 Independent Indian Mountain Battery, Maj JP Crowe, 4x3.7in Hows, pack mules (Based down at Rawang, just north of Kuala Lumpur, for training, operational 10Nov41)

43 Field Park Coy, Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners


Fortress Penang
Brig Cyril Arthur Lyon - HQ: Glugor
2 Bn 15 Punjab Regt, Lt Col Charles Malet Lane (from India Nov40, in Borneo historically)
I Coy, Malay Regt, equipped for local defence only, Georgetown, Penang
3 Battalion SSVF, Lt Col Charles Alexander Scott
(used in Penang for static defence with 3 static machine gun companies of 12 Vickers MG, 400 men total in 3x100 companies plus 100 in HQ, ages up to 55, and 36 Vickers MGs).
2 Indian HAA Regt (2, 7, & 11 HAA Btys), Lt Col GE Proes (ex Maj HKSRA Hong Kong) Operational Oct41. Part of III Indian Corps Anti-Aircraft Artillery Bde
11 Coastal Regt RA, Lt Col ML More – HQ Bukit Batu Maung
8 Coastal Bty RA, 2 x 6in guns, Fort Cornwallis
20 Coastal Bty HKSRA, 2 x 6in guns, Bukit Batu Maung
33 Coastal Bty RA, 2 x 9.2in guns, Maj AOE Mills, Fort Auchry
15 Bty (5 Searchlight Regt RA)
3 Malay Field Eng Coy
26 Fortress Company RE


III Corps Reserve
12th Indian Inf Bde

Brig Archibald Charles Melvill Paris
2 Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Lt Col Angus MacDonald, (from India Sep39)
5 Bn 2 Punjab Regt, Lt Col Cecil Deakin (from India Sep39)
4 Bn 19 Hyderabad Regt, Lt Col Herbert Lawrence Hill (from India Sep39)
122 (West Riding) Field Regt RA (278 & 280 Btys, 16 x 4.5-inch Hows), Lt Col George A Dyson (from UK Mar41), 279 at Kuala Krai, 280 at Kuala Lumpur, third Btty being formed 02Dec41.
15 Field Coy Madras S&M IE, Maj B R Muir


III Corps Troops
2 Northamptonshire Yeomanry Regt, Lt Col Otho Leslie Prior-Palmer
(HQ, A, B and C Sqns), sent to Malaya with Valentine tanks, arrives October 1941. 16 tanks each Sqn, plus 4 in HQ, total 54. Based at Camp Mertajam

1 Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Lt Col Ralph GS Cox (from India 13Feb41), was Penang Garrison Bn, designated armoured troops, paired with Tank Regt, based at Camp Mertajam

J Coy, Malay Regt, equipped for local defence only, Kuala Lumpur

6 Medium Regt RA, Lt Col WG Fox (16 x 6in Hows) (18 & 19 Btys) (from India Feb41)

Armoured train Lancelot – Lieutenant Keith Norton
6 pounder 6 cwt Hotchkiss Mk I gun, two single Vickers 2 pounder Mk II Pom-Pom AA guns, and two Vickers machine guns, with a crew of 35 from the Middlesex Regt. Armour plate used will stop rifle and machine gun fire, shell splinters and grenades. Lancelot based at Alor Star, Kedah.

Armoured train Galahad – Lieutenant Emlyn ‘Rusty’ Price
6 pounder 6 cwt Hotchkiss Mk I gun, two single Vickers 2 pounder Mk II Pom-Pom AA guns, and two Vickers machine guns, with a crew of 35 from the Manchester Regt. Armour plate used will stop rifle and machine gun fire, shell splinters and grenades. Galahad based at Kuala Krai, Kelantan.


III Indian Corps Anti-Aircraft Artillery Bde

Brig Howard Vincent Allpress
2 Indian HAA Regt (2, 7 & 11 HAA Btys), Lt Col GE Proes (ex Maj HKSRA Hong Kong) Operational Oct41. Based on Penang Island

3 Indian HAA Regt Lt Col John Corbet Yale (ex Lt Col HKSRA Hong Kong) Operational 01Oct41
3 HAA Bty is based at Kota Bharu airfield, also manning 2 naval pompom guns
8 HAA Bty is based at Kuala Krai airfield
12 HAA Bty is based at Gong Kedah airfield, also manning 2 naval pompom guns

5 Indian HAA Regt Lt Col WT Temple (ex-Maj HKSRA Hong Kong) Operational 01Dec41
5 HAA Bty split 4 guns at Jitra, and 4 at Alor Star airfield
10 HAA Bty is based at Sungai Patani airfield, Hat Yai from 07Dec41
15 HAA Bty is based at Butterworth airfield, Songkhla from 07Dec41

6 Indian HAA Regt, Lt Col HL Duncan (ex-Maj HKSRA Hong Kong) Operational 01Dec41, at Taiping
6 HAA Bty
13 HAA Bty
17 HAA Bty


III Indian Corps Engineers
1 Artisan Works Coy (Bombay S&M), Maj JH Heep RE
45 Army Troops Coy (Bombay S&M), 6 Bridging Section attached, Maj JR Dinwiddie RE
46 Army Troops Coy (Madras S&M), 14 Bridging Section attached, Maj J Elkington RE

5 Aux Bn, Indian Pioneer Corps (non-combatant, from India Nov40) Railway work
8 Aux Bn, Indian Pioneer Corps (non-combatant, from India Feb41) Bridge/road work
13 Aux Bn, Indian Pioneer Corps (non-combatant, from India Apr41) general work
24 Aux Bn, Indian Pioneer Corps (non-combatant, from India Aug41) general work
29 Aux Bn, Indian Pioneer Corps (Non-combatant, from India Aug41) Stevedore work
All above made up of 4 labour companies.

Working under direction of III Indian Corps
1 FMSR Railway Repair Coy at Sentul (Kuala Lumpur)
2 FMSR Railway Repair Coy at Gemas (Negeri Sembilan)
3 FMSR Railway Repair Coy at Prai (Province Wellesley)



Strategic Reserve, available for Operation Matador if called
8th Australian Infantry Division
Maj Gen Sydney Rowell in Sep 1941 (subordinate to Lt Gen Percival)


22nd Australian Inf Bde

Brig Harold Burfield Taylor (arrived 18Feb41)
2/18 Australian Inf Bn (New South Wales), Lt Col Colonel Arthur Varley
2/19 Australian Inf Bn (New South Wales), Lt Col Colonel Charles Anderson
2/20 Australian Inf Bn (New South Wales), Lt Col Colonel Charles Assheton
2/10 Field Regt RAA (Queensland), Lt Col Alfred Walker Walsh
(HQ, 19, 20, & 60 Field Batteries, 19, 20, and 60 equipped with 18 Pdrs)
A Coy, 2/4 MG Regt
2/12 Field Coy, RAE (New South Wales)


23rd Australian Inf Bde

Brig Edmund Lind (arrived 22Apr41)
2/21 Australian Inf Bn Victoria), Lt Col Leonard Roach
2/22 Australian Inf Bn (Victoria), Lt Col Howard Carr
2/40 Australian Inf Bn (Tasmania), Lt Col William Leggatt
2/14 Field Regt RAA, Lt Col William Christie (HQ, 27, 28 Batteries, both had 4 18-pdrs and 4 4.5-hows, 64 Bty raised in Malacca 04Feb42)
B Coy, 2/4 MG Regt
2/10 Field Coy, RAE (Victoria)


27th Australian Inf Bde

Brig Duncan S Maxwell (arrived 15Aug41)
2/26 Australian Inf Bn (Queensland), LT Col Arthur Boyes
2/29 Australian Inf Bn (Victoria), Lt Col John Robertson
2/30 Australian Inf Bn (New South Wales), Lt Col ‘Jack’ Frederick Galleghan
2/15 Field Regt RAA (New South Wales), Lt Col John Wright (11Nov41) HQ, 29 and 30 Btys equipped with 8x25Pdrs, 65 Bty raised, and active 28Dec41 8x25-pdrs
C Coy, 2/4 MG Regt
2/11 Field Coy, RAE (Queensland)


8th Divisional Troops
2/2 Australian Independent Coy (Amphibious, later jungle) - Maj Alexander Spence (273 men) working with HMCS Prince Henry

2/3 Australian Independent Coy (Jungle) - Maj Donald George Melbourne Matheson (273 men) – Training Telok Anson

8 Divisional Cavalry Regt, LT Col Albert Saggers
(HQ/8, A/8, B/8, and C/8 Sqns) raised in March 1941 to replace original transferred to 9th Div, equipped with Marmon Herrington Armoured Cars

D Coy, 2/4 Australian Machine-Gun Regt (Western Australia), Lt Col Michael Anketell

2/4 Anti-Tank Regt RAA, Lt Col Cranston A McEachern (HQ & 13, 14 and 15 Btys (4x2 Pdrs, 8x75mm Pack How ea), 16 Bty in Malacca, no guns.

2/3 Medium Regt RAA, (68 and 69 batteries of 8 x 6 inch Hows) completes training 1st January 1942 in Malacca.

2/5 Field Park Coy, RAE

2/4 Australian Pioneer Bn (NSW), Lt Col John McCarty, 4 labour companies with infantry training.

8th Australian Divisional Infantry training battalion has been created and is holding replacements, located in Malacca.


Malaya Airfield Defence Force (all arrived in Malaya in March1941)
1 Bn Mysore Infantry (Indian States Forces), Lt Col Kenneth Harvey Preston
1 Bn Bahawalpur Infantry (Indian States Forces), Lt Col Harry Ernest Tyrell
1 Bn, Hyderabad Regt (Indian States Forces), Lt Col Charles Albert Hendrick


Malaya Home Guard
Provides internal security for towns
Kangar Home Guard Coy
Alor Star Home Guard Coy
Penang Home Guard Coy
Taiping Home Guard Coy
Ipoh Home Guard Coy
Kuala Lumpur Home Guard Coy
Port Swettenham Home Guard Coy
Seremban Home Guard Coy
Johore Bharu Home Guard Coy
Kota Bharu Home Guard Coy
Kuantan Home Guard Coy


Fortress Singapore (Singapore and Johore)
Maj Gen Frank Keith Simmons (subordinate to Lt Gen Percival)
HQ Fort Canning Bunker, Singapore


Johore
28th Indian Inf Bde (was Gurkha) – Defending Mersing

Brig W St J Carpendale
2 Bn 9 Gurkha Rifles, Lt Col Wallace Raymond Selby (from 02Sep41)
3 Bn 16 Punjab Regt, Lt Col Sheppard Percy Fearon (from 25Mar41)
2 Bn 14 Punjab Regt, Lt Col GR Kidd (from Hong Kong May/July 1941)
23 Field Coy Bombay S&M IE


Singapore Island
1st Malaya Inf Bde

Brig George CR Williams
2 Bn Loyal Regt (North Lancashire), Lt Col Mordaunt Elrington (Malaya Pre 1939)
1 Bn Roya Malay Regt, Lt Col James RG André - loaned to 9th Indian Div
2 Bn Royal Malay Regt, Lt Col Frederick W Young (operational 28Jun41)
1 Indep Malay Lt Bty (4 x 18 Pdrs) loaned to 9th Indian Div
2 Indep Malay Lt Bty (4 x 18 Pdrs)
2 Malay Field Eng Coy


2nd Singapore Inf Bde

Brig Francis Hugh Fraser
2 Bn Gordon Highlanders, Lt Col Richard Gilbert Lees (Malaya 1939)
2 Bn 17 Dogra Regt, Lt Col Sidney Clermont Scott
1 Bn Singapore (Chinese) Regt, Lt Col James Oliphant Mackellar
2 Bn Singapore (Chinese) Regt, Lt Col CFH Riches
1 Indep Singapore Lt Bty (4 x 18 Pdrs)
2 Singapore Field Eng Coy

Airfield Security Troops (both arrived in Malaya in March1941)
Jind Infantry Bn (Indian States Forces) Lt Col Gurbaksh Singh
Karpurthala Infantry Bn (Indian States Forces) Major Aziz Ahmad
Deployed as single Coys at airfields in Johore and on Singapore Island


Singapore Anti-Aircraft Artillery Bde

Brig Warren G Wildey

1 HAA Regt HKSRA, Lt Col Archer Edwards Tawney (Btys 6 & 9, Maj PE White, both with 8 x 3.7in each, 10 Bty with 8 x 40mm)

2 HAA Regt HKSRA, Lt Col R Mcl More (Btys 11 & 12 each with 8 x 3.7in, 13 Bty with 8 x 3in)

3 HAA Regt RA, Lt Col Francis Edgar Hugonin (11, 29, & 30 Btys with 8 x 3.7in each)

1 Indian HAA Regt, Lt Col JR Williamson - 1, 16, & 18 HAA Btys, 8 x 3in each, also used to train new Indian gunners

3 LAA Regt HKSRA, Lt Col. Denis Vivian Hill, 14 & 16 Bttys, 8 x 40mm Bofors each (15 Btty sent to Aden)

5 Searchlight Regt RA (13, 14, 315, & 316 Btys), Lt Col RAO Clarke (used for both AA and Coastal defence)


Singapore Fixed Defences, Coastal Defence

Brig AD Curtis

7 Coastal Regt RA (Faber Fire Command), Lt Col Hereward Douglas St George Cardew

11 Battery RA
Fort Connaught Battery- 3 x 9.2inch MK 10 B.C. guns (36,700 yards)
Fort Serapong Spur Battery - 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)
Siloso Point Battery – 1 x 12 pounder gun
Pulau Hantu Battery – 1 x 18 pounder field gun in the single HD emplacement (or 2 x 12 pounder guns)
Berhala Reping Battery – 2 x twin 6 pounder guns

31 Battery RA
Buona Vista Battery – 2 x 15inch MK I B.C. guns (42,000 yards)
Tanjong Tereh Battery – 1 x 12 pounder gun (or never armed)
Batu Berlayer Battery – 2 x 12 pounder guns

5 Battery HKSRA
Silingsing Battery – 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)
Fort Siloso Battery – 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)

7 Battery HKSRA
Labrador Battery – 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)
Pasir Laba Battery – 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)


9 Coastal Regt RA (Changi Fire Command), Lt Col Charles Philip Heath

7 Battery RA
Johore Battery – 3 x 15inch MK I B.C. guns (42,000 yards)
Betang Kusar Battery – 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)

22 Battery RA
Tekong Battery – 3 x 9.2inch MK 10 B.C. guns (36,700 yards)
Sphinx Battery – 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)
Ladang Battery (Pulau Tekong Besar) – 1 x 12 pounder gun
Pulau Sajahat Battery – 2 x twin 6 pounder guns
Calder Harbour Battery – 2 x twin 6 pounder guns

32 Battery RA
Pengerang Battery – 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)
Changi Battery – 2 x 6inch MK 7 B.C. guns (14,000 yards)
Changi Outer (Palm) Battery – 2 x twin 6 pounder guns
Tanjong Johor Battery (Pengerang) - 2 x 18 pounders in field emplacements

16 Defence Regt RA (966, 967, & 968 Btys), Lt Col MSH Maxwell-Gumbleton

1 & 2 Bn Straits Settlement Volunteer Forces - Lt Col Thomas Henry Newey (Used in Singapore for static defence with 6 static machine gun companies of 12 Vickers MG, 800 men total in 6x100 men companies plus 200 in HQ’s. Age of men is up to 55, established totals slightly short, and 72 Vickers MGs.)


Royal Engineers Singapore Garrison Bde
30 Fortress Coy RE
34 Fortress Coy RE
35 Fortress Coy RE
41 Fortress Coy RE

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Friday 05 December;

“Mr President, I’m afraid I must speak again regarding the developing situation in the South China Sea. Our shared intelligence strongly suggests the Japanese have assembled an invasion force, which as we speak is sailing south, hugging the Indo-China coast. Our defence would be immeasurably improved if we were to pre-empt that by occupying Southern Thailand. Should Japan attack us and us alone, we would very much hope that the United States would provide armed support.”

“Prime Minister, Winston, if I may, should you find yourselves alone, at war with Japan, you can rest assured that I would do everything in my power to provide you with armed military support, but should you occupy part of neutral Thailand, and Japan not attack you, it would do significant harm to our united cause, and just maintaining what we have already achieved may be all we could do, even if Japan later attacked you alone.” And so, the Trans-Atlantic call had ended, but the conundrum it presented remained.

Churchill was later to write, never did I go to bed filled with more trepidation, than that night following the decision we had made in giving Gort and Phillips the authority to launch Bullring. Picador wasn’t so worrying, but Matador, well, the enormity of what we had invested into Gort’s care, was far more than any one man should be given, but the distance and time between us, meant any decision had to be made in theatre.

The concerns we had that Roosevelt wouldn’t be able to keep his spoken word, in supporting us, when the USA wasn’t even at war, the message that might go to the American public that we had attacked neutral, little Thailand, that we were war mongering colonialists worried me immensely. The idea that the Japanese were possibly playing us, with a mock invasion, was also very unsettling.

But on the other hand, to hand the initiative to the Japanese, and let them gain a firm foothold right at the opening of hostilities, placing us on an immensely bad footing, and potentially costing us, not just the loss of Malaya, but Singapore, and the Dutch East Indies, was a situation we couldn’t countenance. It had been made clear to me by the Chiefs of Staff, that despite our best efforts, commitments in active theatres meant we couldn’t be anywhere near as strong in the Far East as we would have liked.

The latest assessment from the JIC was very clear


Most Secret

1. Japan’s traditional step-by-step policy has now placed her with two naval bases in Southern Indo-China and two good aerodromes, with six others within some 350 miles of Northern Malaya. She is also favourably placed to take the next logical step: the establishment of similar bases in Thailand, which would threaten the security of Malaya even more severely.

2. They now have aircraft established in Southern Indo-China adequately supplied with fuel and bombs together with services and accommodation. They are now able to offer shore-based air support for any sea-borne expedition against Northern Malaya.

3. If the Japanese are permitted to occupy bases in Southern Thailand without military counter-measures, it has been estimated that they could build up a force of some four Divisions in the Songkhla – Pattani – Hat Yai areas within a few weeks. It has also been estimated that they have sufficient landing craft to put a maximum of three Divisions ashore at once.

4. If, on the other hand, we are able to forestall them in Southern Thailand, it is estimated that only one Division could be moved and maintained down the railway in face of air and sabotage attack. The three Divisions at sea would remain a threat.

Joint Intelligence Committee


Furthermore, special information, derived from the FECB code breakers, reading the Japanese diplomatic and consular messages, gave many clear indications of Japan’s intention, preparing them for a coming war with Britain. Whether the Americans would be attacked or not, they couldn’t say, but Britain would be.

I was comforted by the fact that Gort had the RAF and Army working well, in tandem, and that Phillips, and his Force Z fully understood the predicament, and that with Operation Picador, he would provide as much support as he could, such that, if we could provide Gort with such an advantage as Matador offered, at the opening of hostilities, that events might follow in our favour.

And with a likely Japanese invasion fleet at sea, we had to make a decision now, or not at all. The plans for Bullring were sound, the forces we could commit, the bare minimum, but the advantages were considerable. Militarily, the alternative was extremely poor, ceding the initiative, with incomplete defences, lengthen the odds against us holding Malaya. All three Chiefs of Staff supported both the Picador and Matador options from a military point of view. Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Australia, John Curtin, whose troops made up the lion’s share of our Matador force, had been very vocal about the need to have no ambiguity about the decision-making process, a further pressure I didn’t need.

But the political view, opposed this, we had a non-aggression treaty with Thailand, and it didn’t sit well to break that, and even more so, would we be endangering the greatest prize of all, the USA joining us in the war. I had called the President earlier that day, perhaps in the hope that he might move a little on his stance, but the message was the same as had been said for a couple of months now.

And so, on that fateful day, Friday 5th December, 1941, at 11pm, in a late evening meeting with my Chiefs of Staff, at great risk to our relations with the USA, but firmly committed to the defence of Malaya and Singapore, we agreed to give them the authority to launch Bullring, with Gort, ultimately left with deciding Matador, provided he was sure Japan was going to attack us. The decision was coded and sent, and was in their hands by 3.30pm Singapore time. Needless to say I slept badly.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Friday 05 December;

They had arrived on Thursday, about half past six in the evening. The big Catalina, one of five newly acquired by RAF 205 Squadron, touched down in Manila Bay at the end of a 12-hour flight from Singapore. It taxied over to a mooring buoy, where a harbour launch waited, engines idling. The launch took Vice Admiral Layton, his CoS, Capt Collins RAN, and Phillip's Staff Officer, Plans, Cmdr Goodenough RN, to a quayside. There an aide was waiting with a car to take them to the Comandancia, a hotel chosen by Admiral Hart.

A couple of hours later, shaved and showered, and in clean clothes, they were driven to the Manila Hotel where Hart was based. They met him in a private dining room, where he greeted them, first formally by salute, then with a warm smile and handshakes. Hart's other guest was Lt General Douglas MacArthur, C-in-C of US Army forces in the Philippines. It had been a pleasant meal, an ice breaker, to make everyone comfortable, with easy light conversation. Then Hart bade them all goodnight, and let them retire to their hotel, to sleep off the long journey.

The conference, held in the Marsman building, was supposed to start at 11.30 AM the next morning, after a late breakfast, but had been delayed, not convening until nearly 1 PM. The meeting had been born out of the idea, from both Roosevelt and Churchill, that the two navies needed to work together where they could, although Hart and Layton had met before. Layton and his aides were ushered into the room by a US Marine. All present were in their dress uniforms, the whites of the naval officers contrasting with the blood stripe down the blue trouser legs of the Marine orderlies. Besides Admiral Hart and his Navy staff, and the British trio, General MacArthur and a small Army staff were also present. The Dutch had been invited but the short notice meant they hadn't been able to attend.

MacArthur had started the meeting, firstly apologising on behalf of Admiral Hart for the delay, and then sidelining him, by beginning to detail the defences, both provided and planned for the Philippines. His assessment was that the air danger was small, the American and US trained Filipino army could cope with an invasion, and the Japanese could mount one only operation at a time, Malaya or the Philippines. Furthermore, the planned expansion of his forces over the next few months would make them even stronger by next spring. If the Japanese tried it, he'd make them sorry. It was mostly a monologue from MacArthur, although Layton had spoken when asked if the British had considered basing their fleet here in Manila with the US Navy. Leyton had diplomatically replied "We will surely look to take full advantage of any offer if events allow." Thankfully, MacArthur finished with the clock striking 4.30 PM, exclaiming that he'd love to stay but important pressing matters were dragging him away. Everyone stood as MacArthur rose to leave, shook Layton's hand and nodded to Hart, then departed with his aides.

Hart now took over. "Gentlemen, we'll take refreshment now, papers away please. Lieutenant Dawsey, you may call the waiters in. It's only a buffet, and I'm afraid we've lost a bit of time. So with your blessing I'd like to try and gain some back as we've a lot to do. We'll reconvene at 5 PM sharp. Admiral Layton, may I have a word in private with you, please?"

Hart took Leyton's arm and gently led him to an adjourning room, closing the door behind them. "Geoffrey, I can only apologize. Douglas and I have been friends for more years than I'd care to remember, but I'm afraid this command of his has somewhat brought about a regrettable change in him. He didn't use to be so overbearing."

"My dear Tommy, that's quite all right. I understand: I had some inkling that he was somewhat difficult from what Lord Gort told me after he was here last. Thankfully, I don't really have much to do with the chap, that's Gort's affair. I don't think what goes on with the Army should spoil our relationship. We're good friends and we think alike. However, as you said out there, there is quite a lot to get through today, and events are pressing forward at pace, even as we speak."

"Yes, just my thoughts too. Come over here by the window, let me open these two, and enjoy some fresh air. There's Manila Bay, Geoffrey, crammed with merchant shipping. Twenty-eight miles in front of you, at the neck of the bay, lies Corregidor Island, with Fort Mills on it. Along with the other smaller forts, it commands the entrance to the bay. Nothing comes in or goes out without Fort Mills' say-so. Now if you look left, the coastline runs about ten miles before it curls back a couple of miles on the peninsula, so eight miles from us is the Cavite naval dockyard. That is where MacArthur is proposing you station your fleet."

Hart gave a small sign, and gently shook his head. "Geoffrey, what I am about to tell you now must remain between us. If MacArthur, or even Roosevelt, hears of it, I'm finished, up on the beach."

"Not a word shall reach the wrong ear, Tommy. You have my word, not just as a fellow sailor, but as a friend: mum's the word, as we say."

"Thank you. It's complete madness, Geoffrey. The fact is I'm moving everything I can out of here. Otherwise the bay will become the graveyard of the Asiatic Fleet. The defences MacArthur so loudly trumpets are pitiful. He's completely delusional. If the Japanese attack, we're gonna take a hammering. And I don't buy into his idea that the Japanese have to choose one of us. The fact is I think they can take on both of us.

"I'm not saying that Manila could never be used. In time, if we have it, the planned Army, and most importantly Air Force reinforcements, along with an established early warning system with these new radar sets they're sending us, could provide us with a good defence. But as it is, pretty much all my surface fleet is away, a few ships still to go, either in southern Philippine waters, or over off the east coast of Borneo, with the Dutch. I'm still keeping the submarines and their supporting vessels here. I think over a fairly short period of time, their bite will really be felt. We need to confirm our areas of operations. It wouldn't do to have either of us sink the other's submarine."

"Yes, I quite agree," Layton replied. "When hostilities break out, I'll pull back my two submarines currently basing out of Hong Kong, and we'll work on the old agreement. Everything north and east of Vung Ro Bay, just above Cam Ranh Bay, is yours, everything below, mine. And I say 'when', Tommy, because that big convoy of transports, covered by an impressive task force, is not coming down south for tea. The Japanese very much mean business. Phillips has ordered Hong Kong cleared of all merchant ships as a precaution, and he's also asked Helfrich for the two promised Dutch submarines."

"So, you all think war's coming too Geoffrey. Ah, it must be, surely. I mean, by god, what other reason would they be doing it for, occupying Thailand?"

"Well, that's Gort's nightmare, simply an occupation of Thailand, and nothing more, goading us to make a wrong move, become the aggressor, and start a war with Japan, with you still sitting on the sidelines. Would Roosevelt declare war? Could he? Would the American people support that? There's still a strong isolationist movement in your country!"

"The idea of the US defending the British Empire, propping it up, doesn't sit well with many too, Geoffrey. Roosevelt made it quite clear: no American boys fighting other people's wars!"

"Christ, what a mess, Tommy. How did we get here? The only thing I can say with certainty is I won't be worrying about it much longer. Now that Tom Thumb has arrived, I'm being recalled. Quite what their Lordships have in mind for me, I don't know yet, but it won't be running the Navy out here. What about you? Will you stay here?"

"I'm not sure to be honest. So long as I have an operational base here, I guess I will, but I have no idea how long that will be."

"And then, full back to Singapore, or Surabaya?"

"Or even Darwin. Geoffrey, is Surabaya going to be any better than Cavite in two months' time? As for Singapore, well. that's stretching my lines of supply even further. The Navy isn't keen on that idea, although Washington might have other ideas."

"How much will you send south, Tommy?"

"Well, the reason for us delaying today's meeting was the arrival this morning, of two China gunboats, Oahu and Luzon, with Rear Adm Glassford aboard. I was down at Cavite with Rear Adm Rockwell, my new Naval District commander, to meet him. The boats took a battering sailing through a typhoon; I'm half surprised he didn't lose them. Nevertheless, it's yet more work for Rockwell's Naval Base. I told him 'Get as many ships seaworthy as possible, cut corners where you can.' We got Houston away to Panay Island nice and quickly, but only half her planned upgrade was done. Four 1.1" anti-aircraft quad-mounts were added, but the radar unit and four searchlights had to be left unfitted. The four destroyers of DesDiv 59 are in various stages of refit. Now he's trying to get them ready."

"Destroyers, well now, they're on my list of things to ask about, Tommy. Phillips is desperately short of them, and few of them are modern, Force Z is barely covered. Are you able to help in this matter?"

"Yes, I can help, Geoffrey. But first let me reiterate: if I lend him a division of my old four-stackers, they must remain together, and not be disproportionally put at risk. I can't let the Royal Navy fight to the last US destroyer."

"I fully understand, and if the shoe was on the other foot, would propose that myself. The help won't be abused."

There was a knock on the door, and a young ensign entered and saluted. "Begging your pardon, Admiral Hart, Sir, but I have a signal from Singapore for Admiral Layton." Hart nodded, and the ensign handed the paper to Layton, saluted again and left. Layton waited for the door to close, then turned to Hart and asked "Do you mind me reading it now, Tommy?"

"No, not at all," Hart replied. "Be my guest, Geoffrey."

Layton opened the envelope, and read the message, then looked up at Hart. "We have moved to a first degree of readiness; Phillips has put Thracian on a four-hour notice to sail from Hong Kong with the last military personnel to be evacuated. Force Z may sail in the next 24 hours!"

Hart looked thoughtful, and said, "Geoffrey, I'll order the sailing of DesDiv 58 for Singapore immediately, for service under Phillip's command, if I have your word they'll be used as one unit and you don't spare your own destroyers. And tell Phillips, if he sails, I wish him luck."

Layton gave a small smile. "Thanks, Tommy. Let's shake on it. Your help is much appreciated."

"I suppose we'd best get back to our meeting, Geoffrey. There's a lot of planning to do, and little time to do it."

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Friday 05 December:

Wrapped in a light raincape, collar up to counter the light rain, Lt General Tomoyuki Yamashita was taking the air up on the open compass deck above the bridge. He strode over to one of the two 20mm AA guns mounted there. It was sheathed in a heavy waterproof canvas cover, the strings undone, ready to be pulled off at a moment’s notice. A lookout stepped back, allowing him room. Earlier he’d had a good view of the invasion fleet here, carrying his 25th Army from Samah, or at least that part that could be seen given the persistent rain showers, but with the fall of night, there was little to be seen now. He had ten minutes up here before heading back to his cabin and donning his full-dress uniform: he was guest to the ship’s wardroom tonight, and wanted to present an air of calm and confidence. Truth be known, he was anything but calm. The inability to do anything but wait was gnawing at him, while the Navy’s part of the plan was played out.

The ship rolled as a wave hit her quarter, forcing Yamashita to take a couple of quick steps to regain his balance. "Careful," he thought. "It wouldn't do to fall over. Perhaps I’d better go down now." His hand caught a guide rope, and he followed it back to the stairs, taking care as he descended, walking into the bridge. Here there was a peaceful calm, officers and men diligently at work, ensuring their ship, Shinshu Maru, safely remained on station within the convoy. At nearly 12,000 tons, not only was she one of the biggest out here, she was unique: an amphibious ship whose concept and originality of thought marked her out as special, ground breaking. Entering service in 1935, she had two hatches in her stern, which when lifted allowed internally held landing craft mounted on guide rails to slide down and exit the rear of the ship. To help with this, four ballast tanks in the rear of the ship were flooded, altering the trim and lowering the rear of the ship.

In about 45 minutes, 22 Daihatsu landing craft, fully loaded with men and equipment, could be launched. Cargo booms, one in the bow and another in the stern could lower a further 7 Daihatsu, along with up to four armoured landing craft called Soukoutei, armed with one 57mm tank gun and machine guns, which would provide fire support during landing operations. And then, lowered from crane beams located above the hanger in the middle of the ship, were another 25 smaller Shohatsu landing craft. Capable of carrying 2,200 troops, Shinshu could put a first wave ashore. The landing craft could then return to other transports to carry their troops, who would board the old-fashion way of rope netting. To provide some anti-aircraft defence, Shinshu was given four 75mm and four 20mm guns, but the aircraft once planned to be carried in her hangar were now a forgotten thing of the past, landing craft taking their place.

The convoy was beginning to swing westwards, close to Cam Ranh Bay. Another cycle of the monsoon was in full swing: strong winds, rough seas, and rain. There was a lot of rain, sweeping down from the northeast, helping provide cover from watching eyes. But the Japanese weren’t merely relying on the weather. Yes, it was an integral part of the plan. Amphibious landings during the monsoon were generally considered impracticable, so the British would be surprised. However, there was a lot more being done to quell Allied awareness and fears. By staging most of the invasion force and its accompanying large naval escort, both close and distant cover, from Hainan and Formosa, the Japanese hoped to attain strategic surprise. In a matter of a mere few days, the military balance would shift massively in Japan’s favour, far too late for the Allies to counteract, if they could. But now it was more about the tactical surprise, keeping the British pondering, hesitant about starting a war, while the Japanese pieces were moved into their final position for the attack.

So, with two days still to go, Operation E was moving into its second stage: the addition of more troops and ships with less endurance, and the provision of close air cover. The seaplane tender Sagara Maru had detached, intent on anchoring off Pulau Condore to conduct more practical air operations, while Sanyo Maru and Kamikawa Maru provided a limited air cover with their F1M Petes and E13A1 Jakes. As the invasion force got closer to the Gulf of Siam, IJA fighters would provide more air cover, operating out of airfields in Cambodia. As a further nod towards air defence, the IJA had equipped several transports with six and sometimes eight Type 88 75mm AA guns and 20mm AA cannon, manned by detachments from a IJA AA Artillery unit. At least one of these ships would be with each of the main landing groups.

The invasion fleet escort of destroyers was now being joined by minesweepers and subchasers. Enemy submarines was a great concern, but Japanese fishing vessels sailing along the Malayan and Thai coastline were reporting no minefields. So the minesweepers would perform a single basic sweep, acting more as additional anti-submarine vessels, their fit allowing them to participate in that role. Two fleet oilers, Nichiei Maru and Kuroshio Maru, had sailed out of Cam Ranh Bay and established a refuelling point at Pulau Condore, allowing destroyers to break off from convoy escort duties and refuel.

Further west, four transports, carrying troops of the 143rd Infantry Regiment, had left Vung Tau, Saigon’s deep-sea port. They were clear of the land, and in formation, single line. The Katori-class training cruiser Kishii followed like a motherly hen, her signal lamp working hard at keeping the ships in front in order. Their course and speed would allow the main invasion fleet to catch them just before the rendezvous at Point G, 9° 25’ N, 102° 20’ E. That was scheduled for 10.30 on Sunday, 7th December. The fleet would be ready to commence hostile actions at midnight; the actual landings were planned for midnight onwards.

A further four transports, escorted by IJN Shimushu, had sailed two days earlier, rounded Cape Ca Mau, and anchored close to Phu Quoc Island. One of these ships, Hakabusan Maru, carried a battalion of Imperial Guards. Her task was to sail into Bangkok and and land the Guards, who would seize the capital in a coup de main. They would then await the rest of the division, which would cross the Thai-Cambodia border. The other ships were bound for Nakhon, Thailand via Point G. Admiral Kondo’s distant cover force of battleships was still a long way off, trailing the invasion force by a good day at current speeds, trying to remain undetected, but Ozawa’s close cover of heavy cruisers was just over the horizon. This force would station itself south of the invasion fleet, ready to intercept any British naval sortie.

The tent stank inside of damp clothes and the two cheap smoky candles necessary to see the cards. A game of Koi-Koi was in progress. They were using Sergeant Okazaki’s well used pack of Hanafuda, although it wasn’t helping him much; Sergeant Nakazawa was well in front on tricks won. They reclined on their beds, there being little room in their two-man tent. But it was dry, which was more than could be said for the outside, as another rain shower beat on Kukan airfield on Phu Quoc Island. Tomorrow they would be flying CAP over the invasion fleet as it closed on the Gulf of Siam. Okazaki would be leading his flight, a reserve pilot and aircraft making their third, but they would be in company with a second flight led by Lt Col Okabe, the regimental commander. Okazaki didn’t know what was worse, having to lead the flight over the seas, patrol over the convoy, and afterwards return to their airfield, following Okabe’s flight, under his watchful eye, or somehow being parted from Okabe, and having to navigate with his compass and what landmarks he could identify alone. In addition, he had to keep a careful check on fuel consumption: he couldn’t allow his flight to be lost simply due to lack of fuel.

"I win, Keisuke," said Nakazawa. "Another game?"

"Yes Ichiro," Okazaki answered. "You won’t be so lucky this time." His words were more boast than fact. Okazaki’s mind wasn't on the game, but he knew sleep would not come easily.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

Operation E, Invasion of Malaya

Southern Force (Distant Cover) – Vice Adm Kondo (Flag in Atago)
Leaves Mako Islands at 5.30am on December 4.

BB Haruna - Capt T Takama
BB Kongo – Capt T Koyanagi
CA Atago – Capt M Ijuin (Flag for Vice Adm Kondo)
CA Takao – Capt B Asakura

4th Destroyer Div – Capt K Aruga
DD Arashi – Cmdr Y Watanabe
DD Hagikaze – Cmdr S Iura
DD Maikaze – Cmdr S Nagasuki
DD Nowaki – Cmdr M Koga

8th Destroyer Div – Capt T Abe
DD Arashio – Cmdr H Koboki
DD Asashio – Lt Cmdr Y Gorou
DD Michishio – Lt Cmdr M Ogura
DD Oshio – Cmdr K Kikkawa

Supply Unit
AO Kuroshio Maru 10,518t
AO San Clemente Maru 7,335t
AO Teiyo Maru 9,849t
AOT Koryu Maru 6,680t (carries coal and oil)

AE Onoe Maru 6,667t

6th Destroyer Div – Capt M Narita
Left Mako with Main Body, but then used to escort transports from Cam Rah Bay, other two destroyers of this Div (Ikazuchi, Inazuma) are part of Hong Kong Force
DD Akatsuki – Lt Cmdr K Aoki
DD Hibiki – Lt Cmdr H Ishii


Submarine Force – Blocking Unit
4 Submarine Squadron – Rear Adm S Yoshitomi
CL Kinu – (Flag), Capt Y Kato, cruises off Poulo Condore Island as Radio Relay
AS Nagoya Maru – Capt K Kanda

18 Submarine Div – Capt K Moritsugu
SS I-53 – Lt Cmdr S Nakamura
SS I-54 – Lt Cmdr S Kobayashi
SS I-55 – Lt Cmdr K Nakajima

19 Submarine Div – Capt N Ota
SS I-56 – Lt Cmdr K Ohashi
SS I-57 – Lt Cmdr S Nakajima
SS I-58 – Lt Cmdr S Kitamura


6 Submarine Squadron – Rear Adm C Kono (minelaying subs)
AS - Chogei
CMN Tatsumiya Maru – Capt H Takeo, 6,334t Aux Minelayer
PM Chosa Maru – 2,538t Aux Gunboat, used for minelaying

9 Submarine Div – Cmdr Y Endo
SM I-123 – Lt Cmdr U Toshitake (minelaying east end Manila Bay)
SM I-124 – Lt Cmdr K Kishigami (minelaying between Borneo & Palawan)

13 Submarine Div – Capt T Miyazaki
SM I-121 – Cmdr Y Fujimori (minelaying NE of Singapore)
SM I-122 – Lt Cmdr U Shujiro (minelaying NE of Singapore)


5 Submarine Squadron – Rear Adm T Diago
Added to force late, diverted on voyage to Palau, arrived at Samah 3rd December, left 5th December.
CL Yura – (Flag), Capt T Miyoshi
(cruises south of Cape Ca Mau as Radio Relay)
AS Rio Maru – Tender, Capt Y Murase

28 Submarine Div – Capt Y Kato
Both submarines being overhauled at Kobe until 31 Dec 41
SS I-59 – Cmdr T Yoshimatsu
SS I-60 – Lt Cmdr S Hasagawa

29 Submarine Div – Capt
SS I-62 – Lt Cmdr T Kinashi
SS I-64 – Lt Cmdr T Ogawa

30 Submarine Div – Capt
SS I-65 – Lt Cmdr H Harada
SS I-66 – Lt Cmdr Z Yoshitomi



Thailand & Malaya Invasion Force
Vice Admiral Ozawa (in Chokai), (20 nmi off Kota Bharu)
CA Chokai – (Flag) Capt S Watanabe
DD Sagiri – Cmdr K Sugioka (detached DesDiv 20)

7th Cruiser Squadron (Close cover) – Rear Admiral T Kurita (50 nmi off Kota Bharu)
CA Kumano (flag) – Capt K Tanaka
CA Mikuma – Capt S Sakiyama
CA Mogami – Capt A Sone
CA Suzuya – Capt M Kimura

11 DesDiv – Capt K Shoji
DD Fubuki – Cmdr S Yamashita
DD Hatsuyuki – Lt Cmdr J Kamiura
DD Shirayuki – Cmdr R Sugawara


Kota Bharu Invasion Group

Naval Forces – Rear Adm S Hashimoto
3rd Destroyer Squadron – Rear Adm S Hashimoto (other 3 DesDivs, 11, 12, & 20, are elsewhere in Malaya invasion group)
CL Sendai (Flag) – Capt T Shimazaki
19 DesDiv – Capt R Ooe
DD Isonami – Cdr R Sugama
DD Ayanami – Cdr E Sakuma
DD Uranami – Lt Cdr T Hagio
DD Shikinami – Cdr J Iwagami

AM W2 – Lt Ikunaga Kunio
AM W3 – Lt Nikki Izaburo
PC CH9 – Lt Nishina Toshiro

Army Forces – Maj Gen H Takumi
AP Awajisan Maru, 9,794 GRT
AP Ayatosan Maru, 9,788 GRT
AP AA Sakura Maru, 7,167 GRT
14th Engineer (Landing) Regt (minus 2 Coys)
3 special large landing barges (Toku Daihatsu)
24 Daihatsus
21 Shohatsus
3 armoured boats
1 high speed boat
1 liaison boat

23rd Inf Brigade – Maj Gen H Takumi
56th Inf Rgt – Col Y Nasu (3 Bns)
12th Engineer Rgt – Lt Col I Fuji
18th Mtn Art Rgt – Lt Col K Takasu (1 Bn only, 12 x 75mm Mtn guns)
21 Field Coy AA
Signal Transport and Medical units also attached


Pattani Invasion Group (& Tape)

Naval Forces – Capt N Ogawa
12 DesDiv – Capt N Ogawa
DD Shinonome – Cdr H Sasagawa (sails onto Tape landing)
DD Shirakumo – Cdr T Hitomi
(DD Murakumo with Singora Force, DD Sagiri with Chokai)

Army Forces – Maj Gen H Takumi
AP Kinka Maru, 9,305 GRT
AP Nagara Maru, 7,142 GRT
AP Sagami Maru, 7,189 GRT
AP Tosan Maru, 8,666 GRT
AP Asosan Maru 6,937 GRT (continued to Tape)
AP Kinugawa Maru, 8,812 GRT (continued to Tape)
26th Engineer (Landing) Regt (minus 1 Coy)
85 Daihatsus
40 Shohatsus

42 Inf Regt – Col T Ando (only 2 Bns at Pattani, 1st Bn lands at Tape)
One Bn of 5th Art Regt (12x 75mm Mountain Guns)
3rd Coy 5th Recon Rgt
3rd Coy 5th Eng Rgt
Also Field Hospital, transport, signal, and construction units landed
Part of 49 Anchorage (rest at Kota Bharu)
22 Airfield ? – Maj S Shimada
93 Airfield Bn
94 Airfield Bn
5 Airfield Construction Bn


Singora Invasion Group

Naval Forces – Rear Adm Hiraoka (in minelayer Hatsutaka)
12 Seaplane Tender Division – Rear Adm Imamura
AV Kamikawa Maru – Capt T Shinoda
6 x F1M2 'Pete' (+2 reserve), 3 x E13A1 'Jake' (+1 reserve)
AV Sanyo Maru – Capt T Fujisawa
6 x F1M2 'Pete', 2 x E13A1 'Jake' (2 x E8N2 ‘Dave’ reserve)
AV Sagara Maru – Capt Y Kohashi
6 x F1M2 'Pete' (2 x E8N2 'Dave' reserve)

20 DesDiv – Capt Y Yamada
DD Amagiri – Cdr B Ashida
DD Asagiri – Cdr N Maekawa
DD Yugiri – Cdr M Motokawa
DD Murakumo – Cdr H Azuma (detached from 12 DesDiv)

CM Hatsutaka – Cdr? (carries 9th Base Force Unit, RA Hiraoka)
Minesweepers
AM – W1 -
AM – W4 -
AM – W5 -
AM – W6 -
Sub-Chasers
PC – Ch7 -
PC – Ch8 –

AGM Eiko Maru – 3,011 GRT, auxiliary minesweeper tender
(91st Naval Guard Unit aboard)
AP Nojima Maru – 7,190 GRT, auxiliary transport
(91st Ports and Docks Unit and 91st Naval Signal Unit aboard)

Army Forces – Lt Gen Yamashita (CO of 25th Army)
LSD Shinshu (Ryujo) Maru – Landing craft depot ship (Lt Gen Yamashita + HQ onboard)
AP AA Atsutasan Maru, 8,663 GRT – (carried MG S Kawamura, CO + HQ 9th Inf Bde)
AP AA Hirokawa Maru, 6,872 GRT
AP AA Sado Maru, 7,180 GRT
AP Aobasan Maru, 8,812 GRT
AP Asakasan Maru, 7,398 GRT
AP Kansai Maru, 8,614 GRT – (carried Lt Col K Okabe, CO 41 Inf Rgt)
AP, Kashii Maru, 6,825 GRT
AP Kyushi Maru, 8,408 GRT
AP Nako Maru, 7,145 GRT
AP Sasako Maru, 7,100 GRT – (carried Col T Wantanabe, CO 11 Inf Rgt)
AH Naminoue Maru, 4,731 GRT, hospital ship
11th Engineer (Landing) Regt (minus 1 Coy), 1 Coy 14th Engineer (Landing) Regt
115 Daihatsu’s
85 Shohatsu’s

25th Army HQ – Lt Gen Yamashita
5th Infantry Div HQ – MG T Matsui
9th Infantry Brigade – MG S Kawamura
11th Inf Rgt – Col T Wantanabe (3 Bns)
41st Inf Rgt – Lt Col K Okabe (3 Bns)
21st Infantry Brigade HQ – Maj Gen E Sugiura (no infantry units)
5th Recon Rgt – Lt Col S Saeki
5th Field Art Rgt – Lt Col K Takasu
(12x 105mm Hows, 12 x 75mm mountain guns, 3rd bn at Pattani)
5th Engineer Rgt (Divisional Eng Bn)

Attached troops
One Ship AA Rgt and one Ship Signal Rgt are also carried on the transports
1st Tank Rgt – Col Mukaida (37 Med Type 97, 20 Lt Type 95 tanks)
9th Railroad Eng Rgt (part)
46 Anchorage Command
12 Air District Rgt – Lt Col J Mizushima
21 Airfield Bn
84 Airfield Bn - Maj T Hayashibara
32 AA Bn – Maj I Hayashi (most of unit on ships in other landing areas)
Also signal and air intelligence units


Kra Isthmus Landings

Naval Forces – Capt H Kojima
CL Kashii – Capt H Kojima
PE – Shimushu – Cdr F Arimura

Army Forces – Col S Ueno, all 15th Army
1 Coy from each of 11th, 14th and 26th Engineer (Landing) Regts
? Daihatsu’s
? Shohatsu’s


Nakhon (Nakhon Si Thammarat)
AP AA Zenyo Maru, 6,742 GRT
AP Miike Maru, 11,738 GRT
AR Toho Maru, 4,092 GRT

3 Bn, 143 Inf Rgt, 55 Inf Div
18 Air District Rgt, Lt Col F Hujioka
32 AA Bn - Maj I Hayashi
6? Airfield Construction – Capt S Kawamura


Ban Dong (Surat Thani)
AP Yamaura Maru, 6,789 GRT
1 Coy, 1 Bn, 143 Inf Rgt, 55 Div
7 Airfield Construction unit
48 Airfield Construction unit


Chungpong (Chumphon)
AP Fushimi Maru, 4,936 GRT
AP Ryoyo Maru, 5,974 GRT
143 Inf Rgt HQ – Col S Ueno
1 Bn, 143 Rgt (minus 1 coy)
2 IJA air force weather unit


Prachub Khiri Khan
AP Johore Maru, 6,182 GRT
2 Bn, 143 Inf Rgt
9 Airfield Mtce

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Friday 05 December;

The summary was finished, the facts (as much as they had) laid bare. All the senior officers and the aides had left the room, leaving just the two of them. They looked at each other across the table, Phillips speaking first.

"Winston and the Chiefs of Staff have finally done it. After all this time, you've got the green light. It's your call, Tiger. I can sail out and then turn around and come back, and not start a war, but when you move into Thailand, we're committed. And if you're wrong, Winston will hang you out to dry, be sure of it. The terms of launching Matador are pretty clear: you have to be certain they are going to attack us. The occupation of Thailand on its own isn't sufficient. Any war with Japan and the Americans not in it would simply be a disaster for us all."

"Yes, Tom, it's a frightful decision But I'm convinced it's the only way we can put up a good show in defending ourselves. I'm just thankful they made the decision when they did. I honestly feared they wouldn't agree to it. But before I make the definitive call, how do you feel about supporting me?"

"Well, as we've just heard, significant Japanese Naval forces are on the move south, along with a large number of transports, with a further considerable number of transports sheltering in Cam Ranh Bay. But as yet we've seen no movement from any of the carriers in Japan. I'd expect a couple of them at least. So what are you proposing, Tiger?"

"Execute Operation Picador. Sail tomorrow, and be in an advantageous position, and I would go Sunday morning - or not: depends on what happens in the next 24 hours. If we have called it wrong, all I'll have done is sent over my SOE agents, and they will be laying low, while you can turn back and call it a fleet exercise. But if we're right, and I go Sunday morning, you're already in place to help me with any invasion forces."

"In principle, that works for me. But what air cover do you guarantee me, Tiger, if I go, regardless of whether you launch Matador or not?"

"Tom, Keith says he can provide a continuous CAP of four Hurricanes during the daylight hours, up to 60 miles out at sea from Kota Bharu down to Trengganu, and 100 miles seawards south of that. In addition, he can provide ASW flights from Kota Bharu southwards. He'll maintain air reconnaissance over the Gulf of Siam as far north as the line Surat Thani and Phu Quoc, weather permitting. As far north as Singora, if a Japanese invasion force tries to land, he will hit it with everything he has. You have my word: he will deliver on all of that."

"OK, that's fine, Tiger. But have you thought of this: what if my presence out there puts them off, and they simply land in Thailand? Where does that leave you?"

"Frankly, Tom, have you any idea how many nights I've laid awake thinking of that? It's given me bloody nightmares. If I enter Thailand, and there is no war, my head would be on the block. But I keep asking myself this: why would Japan go to all that trouble to do that? They'll just give advance warning of what's to come. You've heard the intelligence reports, the really secret ones. War is coming, it's just a matter of when."

Phillips stood up, picked his cap up off the table, put it on, adjusted its rake in the mirror, and turned to Gort, hand out to shake. Gort rose and stepped forward, shaking hands. "OK, Tiger, I'll do it. If I get a wriggle on, I can sail at 5am, hmm, maybe earlier, yes, earlier the better, I think. I need to put some things in place. Palliser will remain behind; he can take care of things here while I'm gone. I want the air cover agreement written down and a copy signed by you in my hands before I go. It's not that I don't trust you, but for my own benefit, should something go terribly wrong. I'll shake hands and wish you well now, Tiger, we might not have the chance later. Good luck, old boy!"

"Thank you, Tom, I'm grateful for your support. Yes, you'll have the letter directly. I'll have it typed up as soon as we finish. And if things do turn out as expected, good hunting to you, and the best of luck."

Phillips found Palliser in a side room They walked back to the car, and once inside, Phillips told him of the agreement, and Palliser's forthcoming role. Meantime, Gort had both Percival and Park back in the room and quietly explained the agreement to them.

Afterwards, orders given, letter written and dispatched, Lord Gort sat back, a large scotch in his glass, and wondered again if what he was doing was the right thing. The relief he'd felt when London had agreed to giving him authority had taken a weight off his mind, while at the same time it had given his confidence a boost. He considered why it was quite so important to him that he had felt the need to press Winston for the authority on launching Matador. How much easier to have just left it as a suggestion, and if war happened, shrug the shoulders and say what could he do. But he remembered the despair he'd felt in France, waiting on decisions from Billotte and Gamelin, and the interference from Churchill at that time. That, and the conviction that he had done the right thing in the end by ordering the retreat of the BEF to Dunkirk, had convinced him. He had to be his own man; the decision would be his to make.

Quite how the Chiefs had managed to get Churchill's agreement was something he briefly wondered over. Perhaps Phillips's ruse in dressing it all up into ‘Bullring' helped. But more pressing needs quickly put that to the back of his mind. What he wasn't really appreciative of was that while the decision was now in his hands, Churchill and the Chiefs would now worry that he got the decision right. And the possible consequences: the transatlantic cables between Churchill and the President, and the discussions between Roosevelt and his Joint Chiefs of Staff, to get American support for this had only delivered a vague verbal nod, nothing in writing. It was as good as it was going to get, but just how good was that?

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Saturday 06 December:

The captains and navigating officers had all been called over to the ‘Prince’ late last night. The navigating officers met with the Captain of the Fleet, Capt L H Bell RN, He briefed them on predicted weather conditions for the next five days, what sailing formations they might take, the dangers of the Seribuat archipelago, and the proposed courses they might find themselves taking. For the captains, meeting with Admiral Phillips and his CoS, Rear Admiral Palliser, the brief was more about the business end of things: tactical formations, possible first encounters with the Japanese, when to fire, when not, air cover and reconnaissance, predicted enemy dispositions and orders of battle. Satisfied that they knew what was expected of them, and what they could expect, they returned to their ships to make ready for sea. Palliser would remain in Singapore, to organise ongoing support for the force.

At 04.30, Force Z slid out of Singapore under an almost full moon, destroyers first and then the bigger ships. They passed along the Johore straits, and were signalled through the boom defence net gates, opened by HMS Barlane, watched by the 15-inch guns at Changi to starboard. By 06.30 they were out into the Singapore straits, heading east. Picked up and tracked by the AMES 511 COL station at Bukit Chunang, Force Z picked up speed, to a steady 14 knots, sailing irregular zigzags.

Force Z comprised the flagship HMS Prince of Wales, the battlecruiser Repulse, the heavy cruisers Cornwall and Exeter, and six destroyers, Jupiter, Electra, Encounter, Express, Thanet and the Australian ship HMAS Vampire. They were all fully stocked and fuelled, and what repairs that could be done were completed. The full radar suite on PoW was now working again, as were the suites on Repulse and Exeter, although the yard hadn’t been able to complete the fit for Cornwall. Ahead of Force Z was the Light Squadron: light cruisers Emerald and Tromp, and four destroyers, Scout, Tenedos, Kortenaer, and Piet Hein

07.15, a little after dawn, saw the arrival over Singapore of the twice daily Japanese recon aircraft, a C5M2 'Babs'. With some difficulty, the snooper confirmed Force Z had left port, and then found them in the Singapore Straits heading east. But owing to heavy low cloud, rain squalls, and two Hurricanes of RNZAF 485 Squadron climbing to close in, her crew couldn't fully determine how many ships and types before they had to leave, coded radio messages screaming out.

Ahead of Force Z the channels had been swept by the minesweepers. With a couple of Vildebeest aircraft of RAF 212 Squadron, armed with depth charges, out in front looking for shipping, especially submarines, they passed the guard ship, HMS Raub. She was a coastal steamer converted into an auxiliary anti-submarine ship, equipped with a 4-inch gun, ASDIC, and some depth charges. Once clear of the Straits and into the South China Sea, Force Z began the turn, heading in a north-easterly direction.

Meanwhile back in Singapore, Special Branch Police had been watching the known Japanese agents. Overnight they had all been rounded up on minor charges, and due to "official red tape", not released until the evening of the following day. The security around the Naval base had been very tight for a number of days now, and that would continue.

The importance of Force Z sailing was underlined when, at noon, a Hudson of 1st RAAF Sqn, operating from Kota Bharu at the extreme limit of its range, reported a convoy 80 miles southeast of Cape Ca Mau sailing towards the Gulf of Siam. By 1pm the British high command was fully aware that the Japanese were moving. Their best guess was that the Japanese would assemble in Kau Rong Bay (Cambodia), placing them under close air cover by day, and ready to invade the Kra Isthmus under the cover of darkness. Further reconnaissance missions failed to sight anything owing to the heavy cloud cover and numerous rain squalls, some very heavy. Another Hudson had been badly damaged while landing at Kota Bharu.

By 22.30, Force Z had passed east of the Anambas Islands, and was roughly level with Kuantan, but about 240 nautical miles east. Phillips ordered a change of course, onto an NNW direction. He reviewed the latest intelligence report, which, in truth told him very little more. A Hudson had sighted transports 80 miles southeast of the southern tip of Indo-China. This had been confirmed by HMS Regulus, which had also sighted two large convoys heading westwards, then had to dive and endure an hour of sporadic depth charging from Japanese destroyers.

Phillips knew a heavy cruiser force had sailed from Samah, Hainan Island, two days ago, as did another force with at least one Kongo class battleship, from Mako in the Pescadores. But Naval Intelligence was still saying all the big carriers had remained in Japanese home waters. It was all very risky: he had to be mindful of the safety of his command, but Admiral Tom Phillips had been true to his word. Operation Picador was in progress.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

Units, ships, or officers underscored not historical to this Command

For Hong Kong units see Hong Kong Garrison OOB

For Borneo or Burma units see Borneo & Burma Command OOB

Royal Navy Eastern Fleet
CinC Eastern Fleet – Admiral Sir Thomas Spencer Vaughan Phillips
Chief of Staff, Eastern Fleet – Rear Admiral Arthur Palliser
Captain of the Fleet – Capt Leonard Hamersley Bell
Paymaster Captain – Capt S. T. Beardsworth (Phillips Secretary)
Staff Officer, Plans – Cmdr M. G. Goodenough

CinC China Station – Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton, 12 Sep 40 (until arrival of Phillips)
Chief of Staff – Commodore Fitzroy E. P. Hutton (until 08 Dec 41, see Singapore Station)
Asst Chief of Staff – Capt John Augustine Collins, RAN (Layton's staff)
Paymaster Captain – Capt Douglas Doig (Layton's secretary)

Senior Officer (intelligence) – Major J. C. Westall, Royal Marines (liaises with FECB)

Captain Archer M. R. Allen, USN (US Naval Liaison Officer)
Captain L. G. L. van der Kun, KM (Dutch Naval Liaison Officer)


Formations

Force Z– Vice Adm Tom Phillips (arr 02 Dec 41)
BB HMS Prince of Wales – Capt John C. Leach (arr 02 Dec 41)
BC HMS Repulse – Capt William (Bill) G. Tennant (arr 02 Dec 41)
CA HMS Cornwall – Capt Percival Clive Wickham Manwaring
CA HMS Exeter – Capt Oliver Loudon Gordon (arr Nov41)
DD HMS Jupiter – Lt Cmdr N. V. J. T. Thew (arr 02 Dec 41, in refit in Singapore)
DD HMS Electra – Cmdr Cecil Wakeford May (arr 02 Dec 41)
DD HMS Encounter – Lt Cmdr E. V. Morgan (arr 02 Dec 41, renewing propellor bush in Singapore)
DD HMS Express – Lt Cmdr F. J. Cartwright (arr 02 Dec 41)
DD HMAS Vampire – Cmdr W. T. A. Moran RAN (refit Singapore complete Nov 41)
DD HMS Thanet – Lt Cmdr B. S. Davies (arr from Hong Kong 14 Feb 41) historically at Hong Kong
Prince of Wales and Repulse each carried two Walrus seaplanes equipped with ASV radar

Light Squadron (Anglo-Dutch Squadron) – Commodore Flynn RN
CL HMS Emerald – Cpt Francis Cyril Flynn, RN (arr 28Sep41)
CL HNLMS Tromp – Cmdr J. B. de Meester, RNN (loan from Dutch)
DD HNLMS Kortenaer – Lt Cmdr A. Kroese (Asdic + DCs Sep 41) (loan from Dutch)
DD HNLMS Piet Hein – Lt Cmdr J. M. L. Chompff (Asdic + DCs Oct 41) (loan from Dutch)
DD HMS Tenedos – Lt Cmdr R. Dyer (arr from Hong Kong 05 Sep 41)
DD HMS Scout – Lt Cmdr Hedworth Lambton (arr from Hong Kong 25 Jul 41) Historically at Hong Kong

4th Submarine Flotilla
Captain Edward Longsdon 01Sep41
SS HMS Rainbow – Lt Cmdr Lewis Peter Moore, 22 Apr 40 (in Hong Kong)
SS HMS Regent – Lt Cmdr Walter Neville Ronald Knox, 25 Sep 40 (in Hong Kong)
SS HMS Regulus – Lt Cmdr Frederick Basil Currie, 31 Jul 40 (in Singapore)
SS HMS Rover – Lt Cmdr Richard Micaiah Towgood Peacock, 19 Mar 41 (in Singapore)
(All R class, 1,791t sur, 2,060t sub, 17 kts sur, 9 kts sub, 6x21in torpedo tubes bow, 2x21in torpedo tubes stern, 14 reloads, 1x4.7 in deck gun, 2xMGs, crew 53. Can lay mines through torpedo tubes.)
HMS Whang Pu – 3,204t, 10 kts, Depot Ship, ex Chinese river boat used as passenger and cargo liner (from 14 Feb41)

Deployment
Regent and Rainbow in Singapore until end of June, Regulus and Rover in Hong Kong until end of June. Submarine deployments change in June/July. Regulus and Rover in Singapore from July, Regent and Rainbow in Hong Kong from July

Attached are Dutch submarines
SS HNLMS O19 – Lt Cmdr Frederik Johan Adolf Knoops RNN, to 28 Dec 41, then Lt Hendrik Florentijn Bach Kolling, RNN(R)
SS HNLMS O20 – Lt Cmdr Pieter Gerardus Johan Snippe RNN


21st Minesweeping Flotilla (RAN) – Cmdr Glen Loftus Cant RAN
HMAS Maryborough – Cmdr Glen Loftus Cant RAN
HMAS Bendigo – Lt Cmdr J. R. Patrick
HMAS Goulburn – Lt T. Christy
HMAS Burnie – Lt George Edward Gough, RANR(S)
HMAS Wollongong – joins Jan 1942
(Bathurst class corvettes, 650t, 15 kts, 2850 Nmi, 1x4in ha AA gun, 1x40mm AA, 2x1 20mm, 40 DCs, minesweeping equip, crew 85)


2nd Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla – Lt Cmdr GH Gandy
(Transfers from Hong Kong Feb-May 1941)
MTB 7 – 22t, 33 kts, Lt R. R. W. Ashby, 2x1 18in torpedoes, 2x2 MGs, crew 9
MTB 8 – 22t, 33 kts, Lt L. D. Kilbee, 2x1 18in torpedoes, 2x2 MGs, crew 9
MTB 9 – 22t, 33 kts, Lt A. Kennedy, 2x1 18in torpedoes, 2x2 MGs, crew 9
MTB 10 (F) – 22t, 33 kts, Lt Cmdr G.H. Gandy, 2x1 18in torpedoes, 2x2 MGs, crew 9
MTB 11 – 22t, 33 kts, Lt C. J. Collingwood, 2x1 18in torpedoes, 2x2 MGs, crew 9
MTB 12 – 22t, 33 kts, Lt J. B. Colls, 2x1 18in torpedoes, 2x2 MGs, crew 9
MTB 26 – 14t, 40 kts, Lt D. W. Wagstaff, 2x1 18in torpedoes, 2x2 MGs, crew 5
MTB 27 – 14t, 40 kts, Lt T. M. Parsons, 2x1 18in torpedoes, 2x2 MGs, crew 5
HMS Siang Wo, 2,595t, b1926, r1940 – Ty/Lt Cmdr A Woodley RNR, Yangtze River boat converted to MTB base depot ship, 1x12pdr HA, 1x2pdr AA PomPom, 2x1 Lewis MGs

Amphibious Forces
AMC HMCS Prince Henry – 6,893t, b1930, 22 kts, Capt Ronald Ian Agnew, OBE, RCN, converted to AMC 1940-4, 4 x 6in, 2 x 3in guns, room for 300-450 troops. Carries 6 Landing craft personnel (LCPL) Large No 180-185 (Total 6, 8 – 11t each). Currently training with 2/2 Australian Independent Company – Maj Alexander Spence (273 men)
Royal Marine Commando Coy (arrived 28 Nov 41, operational 01 Feb 42) – Major Victor John (Jack) Abbott (250 men).


Flag Officer, Malaya
Rear Admiral Ernest John Spooner RN (arr 22 Aug 41)

Singapore Dockyard & Station
Singapore HMNB, Commodore Superintendent – Commodore F. E. P. Hutton (took over duties 08 Dec 41)
Singapore HMNB, Deputy Superintendent – Capt Thomas Kenneth Whitmore Atkinson
Chief Constructor – William H. Jackman RCNC (Royal Corps of Naval Constructors)
Constructor – H. E. Newnan RCNC
Singapore HMNB, Engineer Captain – Capt (E) R. P. Chapman
Singapore HMNB, Passive Defence Officer – Lt Cmdr Berwick Maitland Douglas
Singapore EDO (Extended Defences Officer) – Capt George Francis Arthur Mulock DSO (Supervised expansion and maintenance of the extensive minefields surrounding Singapore Island. In addition, EDO was to co-ordinate visual reports between the various Post War Signal Stations (PWSS), dotted around the Singapore coastline. EDO would then further co-ordinate between the coastal batteries - the 15inch-gun emplacements - through Commander, Fixed Defences)
Singapore Auxiliary Vessels – Capt (post not filled, covered by Capt Mulock)
(Maintaining and running a small fleet of vessels pressed into service. Many of the ships were old tramp steamers, coasters, and the like, hastily retrofitted for wartime service)
CO Malayan Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve – Lt Cmdr Horace Vickers
Based at HMS Pelandok – The section's training centre and barracks were established at HMS Pelandok, tucked inside the sprawling naval base in Singapore. Under the command of Vickers, the recruits were trained as telegraphists, seamen, and signal visualisers before serving on board RN ships, mostly auxiliary and coastal craft.

Anti-Submarine & Patrol Vessels – Singapore
HMS Scarab – Lt Jack Broughton Cox, arrived 25 Jul 41, defence ship at Singapore ("Insect" class river gunboat, 625t, 14 kts, 2x1 6in guns, 1 x 3in AA, 1 x 2pdr Pom, 4x2 Lewis MGs, crew 55)
HMS Kedah – 2,499t, b1927, rDec39, 18 kts, Cmdr A W Sprott RN Rtd, 2x4in LA, 1x3in AA, 2x1 Lewis MGs, DCs and Asdic, Singapore having engines repaired Dec 7, ASW + Patrol

HMS Ban Hong Liong – 1,671t, b908b, r1940, Lt C L Brown RNVR, 1x4inch, 2x1 Lewis MGs, ASDIC, 20 DCs
HMS Fuh Wo – 955t, b1922, rMay40, patrol vessel (coal burning), Lt Norman Cook RNR, 1x4in gun, 2x1 Lewis MG
HMS Giang Bee – 1,646t, b1908, rSep39, freighter, A/Lt S K Rayner SSRNVR, 1x4in gun, 2x1 Lewis MGs, 20 DCs, Asdic
HMS Li Wo – 707t, b1938, rMar40, patrol vessel (ex-passenger/cargo riverboat), Lt Thomas Wilkinson RNR, 1x4in gun, 2x1 Lewis MGs, maybe 20 DCs, Asdic
HMS Raub – 1,161t, 12 kts, b1926, rsep39, ex-Straits Steamship Trader, T/Lt O R T Henman SSRNVR, 1x4inch, 2x1 Lewis MGs, 20 DCs, Asdic


Aux Minesweepers Singapore
HMS Banka – 623t, b1914, 8 kts, coastal cargo ship, Lt Arthur Ernest Stephenson RNR, crew 49
HMS Scott Harley – b1913, r1940, 6 kts, coal burning, Ty/Lt J. Rennie RNR
HMS Medusa – 793t, b1913, 10 kts, Ty/Lt P. B. Bruce RNR
HMS Circe – 778t, b1912, Straits Steamship converting to magnetic minesweeper, Ty/Lt A. Brown RNR

HMS Changteh – 244t b1914, rApr40, tug, Lt P. R. S. O. Spicer
HMS Chuting – 207t, r1941, tug
HMS Jarak – 210t, b1927, r1941, whaler, Lt H. C. Butcher SSRNVR
HMS Jerantut – 217t, b1927, r1941, whaler, Ty/Lt J. P. Upton RNVR
HMS Klias – 207t, b1927, rJan41, Lt H. N. Smyth SSRNVR
HMS Tapah – 208t, b1926, rSep39, Cmdr G. E. W. W. Bayly SSRNVR
HMS Wo Kwang – 350t, b1927, r1940, tug, Ty/Lt J. Robinson RNR
HMS Shun An – Lt O. R. T. Henman SSRNVR


Western Inshore Squadron (Based at Penang and Port Swettenham)
Commodore (Capt) Edmund Geoffrey Abbott RN (ex HMS Ceres) Oct 41
HMS Moth – defence ship at Penang, Cmdr R. C. F. Creer RAN (arrived 13 May 41)
HMS Cicala – defence ship at Port Swettenham, Lt Cmdr J. C. Boldero (arrived 05 Sep 41)
Both "Insect" class river gunboats, 625t, 14 kts, 2x6in guns, 1x12 pdr AA, 1x2pdr Pom, 4x2 Lewis MGs, crew 55

HMS Kampar – 971t, b1915, r28 Aug 39, 11 kts, Lt R. Hamer RNVR, 1x4in, 2x1 Lewis MGs, 20 DCs, Asdic
HMS Larut – 894t, b1927, passenger/cargo steamer, Captain C. E. Cleaver, 1x4in gun, 2x1 Lewis MGs, 20 DCs, Asdic
HMS Mata Hari – 1,020t, 11 kts, b1915, rSep39, Lt G. A. Brignall RNR, 1 x 4in gun, 2x1 Lewis MGs, 25 DC, Asdic, crew 63
HMS Pangkor – 1,250t, b1929, Straits Steamship Co. ship, Ty/Lt T. Sutherland, RNR, 1x4in gun, 2x1 Lewis MGs

RFA Tien Kwang – 787t, b1925, rOct39, coastal tanker for Asiatic Petroleum Company, sister to Shu Kwang, Act/Lt R. W. Heale SSRNVR, 1x4in gun 2x1, Lewis MGs, at Penang, twin screw. Supports Western Inshore Squadron


Penang Aux Minesweeper Group
HMS Hua Tong – 280t, b1927, rNov39, Ty/Lt O. G. Jones RNR
HMS Jeram – 210t, b1927, rOct39, whaler, Lt J. H. Evans RNVR
HMS Malacca – 210t b1927, rDec39, Lt J. W. Morphett SSRNVR
HMS Sin Aik Lee – 198t, b1928, rSep39, Lt J. M. Brander SSRNVR
HMS Trang – 205t, b1912, rNov39, whaler, Lt H. T. Rigden RNVR

Eastern Inshore Squadron (Based at Kuantan)
Commodore (Capt) Charles Alfred Evelyn Stanfield RN, (ex HMS Colombo) Flagship HMS Scorpion
HMS Scorpion – Lt Cmdr G. C. Ashworth SSRNVR
(Pre Dragonfly class river gunboat, 670t, 17 kts, 2x1 4in guns LA, 1 x 3.7in how, 2x1 3pdr OF Vickers AA (47mm), 4x1 Lewis MGs, crew 93

HMS Dragonfly – Cmdr A. W. Sprott
HMS Grasshopper – Cmdr J. S. Hoffman
(Dragonfly class river gunboats, 585t, 17 kts, 2x1 4in LA, 1 x 3.7in How, 4x1 Lewis MGs, crew 74

HMS Kelantan – 1,106t, b1921, rDec41, Lt H. W. Richardson RNR, 1x4in, 2x1 Lewis MGs, Asdic, DCs (Repair ship 1943). 04 Dec 41 Eastern Inshore Squadron
HMS Kuala – 954t, 12 kts, b1911, r1941, passenger/cargo steamer, Lt Franklin Caithness RNR, 1x4in gun, 2x1 Lewis MGs, Asdic, 20 DCs
HMS Lipis – 914t, 10 kts, b1927 rNov39, converted to oil, Lt W. E. Steel RNR, 1x4inch, 2x1 Lewis MGs (sent to Borneo with more explosives, and ready if evacuations needed)

RFA Shu Kwang – 788t, b1924, rOct39, coastal tanker for Asiatic Petroleum Company, sister to Tien Kwang, Cmdr A. D. Thomson DSC Rtd, 1x4in gun 2x1 Lewis MGs, at Kuantan (Lost 13 Feb 42) Supports Eastern Inshore Squadron
RFA Ping Wo – 3,105t, 14 kts, depot ship (ex-river steamer), Ty/Lt J. Fant RNR, 1 x 12 pdr, 2x1 Lewis MGs, (was later RAN, used as water carrier, later tender, then stores ship)

Kuantan Aux Minesweeper Group
HMS Gemas – 207t, b1925, whaler, Act/Sub Lt W. E. Quirke SSRNVR
HMS Rahman – 209t, b1926, rSep39, whaler, Act/Sub Lt D. G. Freeman SSRNVR

Minelayers
HMS Stronghold – Lt Cmdr GR Pretor-Pinney, S class destroyer currently configured as a minelayer
HMS Atreus – 6,546t, b1911, ex mine carrier, 14 kts, CO ?, 1x12pdr, 4x1 20mm AA, 246 mines, used in East Indies as base ship for minelayers
HMS Kung Wo – 4,636t, b1921, r09 Jun 41, ex Chinese river/coastal cargo/passenger steamer, 15-12 kts, 2 screws, T/A/Cmdr Edward James Thomson RNR, 1 x 4in gun, 1 x 12 pdr, 2x2 Lewis MGs, 240 mines
HMS Teviot Bank – 5,087t, b1938, 12 kts or 15 kts, Cmdr Robert Douglas King-Harman RN Rtd, 1x4in gun HA, 1 x 2pdr (40mm AA), 2x2 Lewis MGs, 280 mines


34th ML (Perak) Flotilla
HMS Kudat – 1,725t, b1914, r1940, 12 kts, used as Perak Flotilla Depot ship
ML 1101 Panji -
ML 1102 Pahlawan – Sub Lt Philip Dorian Cork
ML 1103 Panglima – Lt H. G. Riches
ML 1104 Peningat -
ML 1105 Pengail – Lt R. J. Draycott
ML 1106 Penghambat – Lt F. D. S. Mann SSRNVR
All above are HDML Motor Launches (built Thornycroft, Singapore, 1939, manned by Malay section RN), 60t, 72 ft long, 16 kts, 1 3pdr (or more commonly, 2pdr), 1 Lewis MG, crew 10


Motor Launches, ML
No. 310 – Lt H. J. Bull RNZNVR, com 29/11/41
No. 311 – Lt E. J. H. Christmas RANVR, com 29/11/41
No. 432 – Lt L. H. Herd RNZNVR, com 21/01/42
No. 433 – Lt Cmdr H. Campey RANVR, com 21/01/42
All above are Fairmile B Launches, 85t, 112ft long, 20 kts, 1x3pdr, 1x2 MGs or 2x2 MGs, crew 16+


Motor Minesweepers
MMS No. 51, No. 52 – 245t, 12 kts, 1-2 20mm, mgs, crew 20


Requisitioned Customs Motor Launches
Elizabeth – Lt R. C. Beckwith, RN
Rhoda (Rohda?) – Lt G. D. Inns RNVR
Sylvia – Lt R. J. D. Draycott SSRNVR
Heather – Lt St. Aubin RNR
Rosemary -
Mary Rose
Pontian
Artemis


Other Launches
Kelana – 88t, requisitioned coastal motor launch, used for river patrol, Lt C. J. Windsor RNR, guess 2xLewis MGs
Fanling (Fan Lin?) – ex-customs launch?, Lt D. E. M. W. Fiennes SSRNVR (or Lt John Pierce Upton RNZNVR, or Lt Ralph Crossley Ripley RCNVR)
Hung Jao – launch, Ty/Lt T. E. Mellor RNVR
Madras – motor launch, CO?, Singapore
Seekingjas – motor launch, CO?, Singapore
Poelau Soegi – 130t, river launch, Lt Arthur John Martin RNZNVR, crew 34

Support Ships

Survey Ship
HMS Herald – 1,341t, 17 kts, 24class sloop mod to survey ship, crew?

Tankers/Oilers
RFA Francol – 2,623t, b1917, Port Tanker/oiler, stationary
RFA War Sirdar – 5,518t, b1920, Port Tanker/oiler
RFA Ruthenia – 11,850t, b1900, used as stationary oil fuel jetty and pumping station, Woodlands, Singapore
SS Pleioden – 5,878t, b1922, Anglo-Saxon Petroleum tanker used as fuel storage hulk in Singapore, moored off Pulau Blakang Mati
SS Solen – 5,699t, b1922, Anglo-Saxon Petroleum tanker used as fuel storage hulk from 1938, Singapore, moored off Pulau Blakang Mati
SS Spirila – 5,695t, b1922, Anglo-Saxon Petroleum tanker used as fuel storage hulk from 1938, Singapore, moored off Pulau Blakang Mati

Colliers
Zannis L Cambanis – 5,317t, b1920

Boom Defence Vessels
HMS Barlane – 730t, 11 kts, 1x3in AA gun, 1938, crew 32
HMS Barricade – 730t, 11 kts, 1x3in AA gun, 1938, crew 32
HMS Barrier – 730t, 11 kts, 1x3in AA gun, 1938, crew 32

HMS Dowgate – 290t, b1935, 1x3in AA gun, no engine
HMS Ludgate – 290t, b1935, 1x3in AA gun, no engine
(Both used for Changi boom gate)
HMS Fastnet – b1919, Trawler, used as boom defence vessel

Depot and Accommodation Ships
HMS Anking – 3,472t, b1925, 12 kts, cargo vessel requisitioned 1941 as a base wireless depot ship
HMS Endeavour – 1,280t, b1912, 13 kts, used as boom defence depot ship (possibly at Loyang, Singapore)
HMS Sui Wo – 2,672t, 1896 11 kts, passenger and cargo vessel, used as a boom defence accommodation ship at Changi, Singapore


Fleet Tugs (Saint Class tug 860t, 12 kts, 1x12 pdr AA gun, crew 30)
HMS St Breock – Lt? Joseph Jappy RNR, based Singapore
HMS St Dominic – arrived from Yangtze 14 Feb 41, based Penang
HMS St Just – based Singapore
HMS St Sampson – arrived from Hong Kong 05 Sep 41, based Port Swettenham


Harbour Tugs
RFA Pengawal – Sub Lt L. C. Jago SSRNVR
RFA Yin Ping – Lt Patrick O. Wilkinson SSRNVR, 191grt


Merchant Ships
RFA Shengking – 3,000t, Requisitioned December 1941 by the Ministry of War Transport for service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a supply ship in the Indian Ocean.
SS Wusueh – 3,099t, b1931, Hospital Ship, Requisitioned April 1941 by the Ministry of War Transport for service transporting troops around the Malayan coast. In Autumn 1941 Wusueh was converted to a hospital ship in Singapore
MV Siushan – 296t, b1926, motor vessel, requisitioned May 1941 in Shanghai and towed to Singapore in October.
CS Pacific – 1,570t, b1903, Danish, Cable & Wireless-run cable ship, coal fired triple expansion steam engines, twin screw, based at Singapore.
RFA Demodocus – 6,689t, b1912, used as a Victualling Stores Issuing Ship, holding extra foodstuffs for Malaya Command, anchored at Singapore

Singapore Naval Dockyard Repair or Refit
HMS Mauritius (Fiji class) – 8,000t, 33 kts, 4x3 6in guns, 4x2 4in DP guns, 2x4 +1x1 2-pdr pompom AA, 2x3 21in torpedo tubes, 2 Walrus aircraft, crew 730. (Repairs 07 Nov 41 onwards)

HMS Isis – Cmdr B. Jones from 16 December, in dockyard for bomb damage repair, taken in on 13 October, est completion March 1942

HMAS Vendetta – Lt Cmdr C. J. Stephenson RAN, started refit in Singapore, from 12 Nov 41. W&V class destroyer

HMS Rhu – 254t (maybe 393t), b1940, was fitting out as a Controlled Minelayer 1/42

HMS Tung Wo – 1,337t, b1914, passenger/cargo riverine/coastal steamer, ex Aux Examination Vessel, Lt William Rochester RNR, awaiting conversion to ASW Patrol duties with installation of 4in LA gun, Asdic, and 20 DCs, moored in Penang Straits.

Singapore Shipyards, Building

Singapore Harbour Board
Moorwind – 1,000t, 9 kts, 1x12 pdr, 2x1 20mm AA, Mooring Vessel
Lantaka – tug, 300t, 9 kts, dockyard service
Fairmile B MLs 310, 311 (both completed Oct/Nov 41) 432, 433 (Launched and fitting out)

Voss Ltd, Singapore
Fairmile B MLs 362, 363, 364, 365, 372, 373, 374, 375, 388, 389

Walker, Son & Co. (Thornycroft), Singapore
HDMLs 1062, 1063 (already complete and in service). Building are 1096, 1097, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1170, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220 – 46t, 11 kts, 1x1pdr + MGs

Vaughan Shipbuilding, Singapore
MMS (Motor Mine Sweeper) 51, 52 (both completed Oct/Nov 41), 93, 94, 125, 126, 127, 128, 166, 167 – 295t, 12 kts, 2x.50 MG, crew 20

Fleet Air Arm
12th Naval Air Wing – Royal Marine Major William H. N. Martin
FAA 814 Sqn – Lt Cmdr A. C. Lindsay, 12+6 Swordfish, Sembawang, waiting on HMS Hermes refit completion
FAA 839 Sqn – Lt Cmdr Roger King, 12+6 Swordfish, Sembawang,
FAA 895 Sqn – Lt Cmdr Stephen Edwards, 12 + 8 Buffalo, Sembawang
FAA 714 Sqn – several Walrus flying boats, also Albacores (some ASR equipped), Swordfish, and Buffalos, Sembawang, (July1941) Coastal Recon & Air/Sea rescue, OTU for other Sqns

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Saturday 06 December;

An hour before sundown, the Vildebeest bomber taxied to the aircraft pen, led by a hand-painted RAF blue Morris. There a small ground crew awaited it. It was the last of four aircraft of RAF 212 Sqn to be deployed here, They had flown in from Port Swettenham to be rebased here at Kuantan. The airfield was overcrowded, already hosting 12 Vildebeests of RAF 100 Sqn, 12 Hurricanes of RNZAF 486 Sqn, and 8 Hudsons of RAAF 8 Sqn, as well as these newly arrived four. Two Hudsons and four Hurricanes were parked close to the runway on standby. The rest were under cover: some in pens, others simply under netting amid the rubber trees that stood around parts of the airfield.

For the crews, both ground and air, it was just as bad. The crowding meant more were living in tents than in huts. Given the frequent rain showers, some very heavy, that was unpleasant to say the least. The airfield had telephone communications with AMES 518 COL, the radar station on a hill near town, hence the four Hurricanes at standby.

In Kelantan, both Kota Bharu and Gong Kedah airfields had been given a nearly full AA battery, with six 3-inch guns from 3 Indian HAA Regt. They had arrived here in early October, and were well established; each had a telephone line to the radar unit at Kota Bharu. The other two guns from each battery were based around Kota Bharu town. A further battery had been deployed around the strategic town of Kuala Krai, the important rail station connecting Kelantan to the rest of Malaya.

Kota Bharu airfield had all 12 of RAAF 1 Sqn’s Hudsons along with eight Hurricanes of RAAF 457 Sqn. 457's other four Hurricanes were at Gong Kedah, where RAF 36 Sqn’s 12 Vildebeests and the third flight of RAF 212 Sqn from Penang were also stationed (212's first flight being kept down in Singapore). Both airfields had been given aircraft pens located in woodland, to improve protection, but the work was incomplete. As in Kuantan, many aircraft were protected by camouflage netting only.

The airfields of Northern Malaya had been given some AA defences, although Park had not been happy about the removal of the two 40mm batteries of the 3rd LAA Regt HKSRA, which had provided a close AA defence. These had been withdrawn to provide support to RowForce. What was left was the 5th Indian HAA Regt, which had just become operational five days ago, its batteries covering the airfields at Alor Star, Sungei Patani, and Butterworth. But Park had also been warned that these too, were likely to be withdrawn, to provide AA cover over more strategically important positions.

His Squadrons were making their final deployments. RCAF 414 Sqn, with 16 Battles, all bomb loaded, flew up to Sungei Patani from their airfield at Ipoh, along with five Blenheims out of Taiping, with another three Blenheims flying up to Butterworth. The Hurricanes of RAAF 450 had moved north from Kluang, also into Butterworth, which was now dangerously crowded, as well as half the ground crew, the rest moving to Penang. Underlining the fragmentation of 5 RAAF Wing, RAAF 453 Squadron was remaining in Kahang, held back almost as a strategic reserve. Finally, RAF 134 Sqn had moved back to Kallang from Batu Pahat, to replace the loaned RNZAF 486 Sqn. Park had completed his dispositions; the RAF was ready.

For the Army, unit dispositions had been completed some time now, except for the Indian AA Regts. However, there was still plenty of work for the RAOC and RASC, with many FMSR trains still to be loaded or moved into sidings, road convoys yet to complete their journeys, and dumps to be fully stocked.

Back in Singapore Naval Base, the arrival of dawn found Force Z gone, but things were just as hectic. Rear Admiral Palliser’s offices were a hive of activity, in an effort to get further ships ready for sea duties. Numerous changes were being made to the orderly normal everyday routines. The dockyard had been hard at it since Phillips first arrived, firstly with Force Z, and now with the ships that were left, and some new arrivals.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Saturday 06 December:

The big metal blade of the Le Tourneau Carryall bit into the ground, and began slicing off a layer of earth, rolling it into the hopper. In front, the Canadian driver of the D7 Caterpillar tractor pulling it looked back making sure his scrap line was good. Once full, he would pull the load over to the marshy land to the west. Dumping the earth there would help fill it in, clearing away another source of malaria from stagnant infested water. Further over, another Caterpillar, this one fitted with a Le Tourneau bulldozer, was clearing away scrub and tall grasses. The bigger trees had already been cut down, and the stumps chained and pulled out.

The 8th RCAF Airfield Construction Company had only been here 11 days, having arrived in Singapore on 22 November. There they had been married up with their American Lend-Lease earth-moving equipment. Then they moved up to Mentakab, a small town in Pahang, central Malaya, where a large railway siding had been built. They were here to build an airfield about 65 miles west of Kuantan, which would be used to support that area. So far, their efforts had been concentrated on improving their own living quarters, which would later become the airfield’s accommodation area, carving out new roads, and flattening areas to store building materials, such as aggregate, sand, and timber.

The construction and development of the airfields in Malaya and Singapore was moving ahead. With the three dedicated airfield construction companies, 1st New Zealand, 3rd Canadian, and newly arrived 8th Canadian ACCs, the Public Works Department had been partly freed for other works, such as new roads and railway sidings. But the construction of airfields was continued at pace. The main restriction on development was continued hand-to-mouth reliance on shipped cement.

Singapore was pretty well placed with four operational airfields: Kallang with two fighter squadrons, Tengah with two bomber squadrons, Sembawang, somewhat overcrowded with the FAA squadrons, and Seletar, also overcrowded with an assortment of aircraft. North of the Island was a line of three airfields: Batu Pahat, able to operate a single fighter sqn, Kluang, a much bigger airfield, able to operate up to three squadrons, and Kahang, again with accommodation for a single squadron. 1st New Zealand ACC was at Tebrau, in southern Johore, not far from the causeway. They were developing a major bomber base, which when complete could operate four-engine bombers. It was thought the airfield could be operational by the end of January 1942, when at least one hard runway would be completed, along with some of the infrastructure. They were also employed at Bekok, near Labis, 22 miles NW of Kluang, working on a second heavy bomber airfield, although this wasn’t due to be anywhere near ready until late March or early April 1942. And the last airfield they were responsible for was at Gemas, near the main railway junction, again not partly operational until late March or early April.

Central Malaya was far less well developed. At Batu Berendam, just outside Malacca, a light grass airfield suitable for liaison aircraft had been completed, but no further work had been done here. The airfield at Kuala Lumpur was now developing into a major servicing site, along with the big aero engine workshops nearby. To the west, Port Dickson had a grass runway, and could operate a fighter squadron if needed, but the hard runway and a lot more infrastructure was still awaiting construction. That work wouldn’t be complete until end of February 1942 at best. 30 miles north of Kuala Lumpur at Kerling was a grass landing ground for light aircraft, which had potential for development but nothing was planned at present.

Teluk Anson had a grass landing strip, ideal for liaison flights, and seaplane moorings in the river, while at Sitiawan, near Lumet there was a grass airfield that a fighter squadron could operate out of at a push, but little in the way of supporting buildings. Next up was Ipoh, which was operational with a Fairey Battle squadron based there, but the grass runway wasn’t suitable for extending much further, and facilities were somewhat rudimentary. Progress on developing the site was slow, many other places having a higher priority. And then there was Taiping, fully developed into a station for two bomber squadrons, with all the accommodating infrastructure.

Northwest Malaya had the two big airfields at Butterworth and Sungei Patani, both with hard runaways and accommodation for two bomber squadrons, a fighter squadron based at Bayan Lepas airfield, on Penang Island, and another on the old civilian airfield at Alor Star. A third fighter squadron was based at Kuala Kentil, east of Sungai Patani, where there was a simple grass runway airfield, with few buildings and a lot of tents. 3rd Canadian ACC was up here, still adding facilities to the airfields up here, as well as working on Sungai Bakap, about five miles north of the Perak border, close to the railway line.

And lastly there was Northeast Malaya, with two airfields in Kelantan, at Kota Bharu and Gong Kedah, and one in Kuantan down in Pahang. All had grass runways, and everything was heavily fortified with camouflage netting, earthen banks, sandbags, and slit trenches They were defended by a few 3-inch AA guns, and an assortment of scrounged 40mm pompoms and Vickers and Lewis machine guns. All three airfields were crammed with far more aircraft than was suitable, but needs must. Because of the precarious state of defence in Kelantan, no more airfield development was considered.

A whistle blew, which was taken up by other whistles, truck horns, and shouts. Five PM: the working day was done. Vehicles and tools to be secured, time for a shower and change, dinner at 7pm, but a drink first! For the men of 8th Canadian ACC, tomorrow would be an easy day: all dressed up for Sunday service, and then dismissed for an afternoon of sport, or a bit of make and mend, and maybe write a letter for home.