|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
  RAN February 15, 1942 |
Location The Gaspar Strait Sortie happened on February 15, 1942 in the Gaspar Strait between the American British Dutch Australian Command (ABDA) versus Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) aircraft. The sortie resulted in the Allied force turning back therefore was Japanese tactical victory, but they failed to inflict any significant damage despite repeated aerial attacks. Wartime History On February 13, 1942 Allied aircraft spotted the Japanese invasion forces north of Bangka Island. In response, American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA Command) under the command of Dutch Rear Admiral Karel Doorman ordered a striking force to intercept them. On February 14, 1942 in the morning, the Allied warships depart Oosthaven (Bandar Lampung) southern Sumatra via the Gaspar Strait then proceed northwest towards the Japanese force off Bangka Island. The force includes Heavy Cruisers HMS Exeter (68) plus three light cruisers including HMAS Hobart (D63) escorted by six U.S. Navy (USN) destroyers and three Dutch destroyers including Hr Ms Banckert and Hr Ms Van Ghent. On February 15, 1942 while transiting the Gaspar Strait in poor visibility, Hr Ms Van Ghent struck a rock and stuck fast then was scuttled with her crew rescued by Hr Ms Banckert. At 8:00am the Allied warships were spotted by Japanese planes and their presence reported with air strikes launched. At 10:30am HMS Exeter (68) was bombed by B5N Kates from Ryūjō and scored a near miss that damaged her Walrus floatplane and hit the ship with shrapnel. Soon afterwards, 23 G3M Nells from Genzan Kokutai (Genzan Air Group) bomb from high altitude causing no damage. At 11:30am six B5N Kates attacked without causing any damage. At 12:42pm, the Allied force was ordered to reverse course for Tanjung Priok. Withdrawing, the force was again targeted by 27 G3M Nells from Mihoro Kokutai (Mihoro Air Group) from high altitude without results. At 2:30pm seven B5N Kates attack again, followed by another attack around 3:00pm, Before sunset, 17 G4M Bettys from Kanoya Kokutai (Kanoya Air Group) attack without result. Results The repeated Japanese attacks caused no significant damage and many attacking planes were damaged by anti-aircraft fire with one Betty crash landing and another damaged while landing. The Allied warships suffered superficial damage and Hr Ms Van Ghent scuttled after striking a rock. Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
