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.