Scouting Force Report. Under way in the Coral Sea, 6 May
In accordance with
your orders, I took under command the cruisers CL Tenryu, CL Yubari and CL
Tutsata; and the destroyers DD Yuzuki, DD Kikuzuki, DD Yayoi and DD Oite.
I proceeded for 2hrs in a NNE direction at 15Kts in order to
investigate the suspected enemy activity in that direction. This low speed was
designed to minimise our visibility to any enemy, so that we could secure
surprise for a torpedo attack. Maximum visibility distance was about 5 nautical
miles, and ships were disposed that distance apart. The left of the line passed
within sight of the small island in V2 shortly after 01:00hrs and the line was
extended from V22 to W23, the right hand destroyer having partial observation
into W24, no contacts were reported.
At 03:00 the right hand destroyer reported sporting the
western tip of Woodlark coming into view. The line was extended across U23, U24
and part of V25.
I appreciated that, if there ever was an enemy force
present, its course was either North or East (in either of which case there was
no real threat to the main force), or it may have been proceeding South, in
which case it might be between me and the main force. This I considered
unlikely, but if the enemy were on an easterly course, there was then no
prospect of finding them as they would be in or about W26 and heading away from
us.
As I had fulfilled your orders, and judged that there was no
likelihood of contact by continuing on my current course, I therefore turned
the scouting force to the SSW, closed up to normal stationkeeping distance, and
worked up to 30 knots with the intention of returning to the main fleet.
Shortly after 05:00hrs, the force was in line abreast
heading SSW at 30 knots. DD Yuzuki was out of position a little ahead of the starboard
wing when she detected three enemy destroyers in arrowhead formation about 1 nm
apart at a range of about 5 nm. The enemy were heading due North at high speed.
The enemy were to my SSW.
The enemy’s
formation indicated that they were screening a heavy force to their rear
against submarine attack. The range was well within effective reach for Type 93
torpedoes, however our position was too fine on the enemy’s bow for effective
torpedo engagement.
I therefore wished
to gain a position broader on the enemy’s bow whilst maximising my presumed
advantage from having sighted first. My force was not suitable for a prolonged
gunnery engagement. I therefore detached DD Yuzuki to the W to distract and
confuse the attention of the enemy, changed course with the rest of the force
together to the SE and began to make smoke in order to obscure the silhouettes
of our ships and to provide for a rapid escape under smoke when our attack had
been completed.
These manoeuvres
were completely successful. DD Yuzuki engaged the enemy’s destroyer screen with
guns and torpedoes. Shortly afterwards the main force engaged. An enemy cruiser
of the Portland class was sighted at the head of the enemy line and at once
engaged with torpedoes. Two hits were observed, and the first 20 metres of the
enemy’s bow was seen to have been blown off. Enemy return fire against the main
force was ineffective.
The enemy now
turned sharply away under smoke, on to a course to the NW. This placed us in a
poor position to engage further with torpedoes. Moreover we were brought under
fire by highly accurate 6” gunnery directed from beyond visual range by unknown
technical means. I therefore concluded that it was time to disengage.
Unfortunately at
this time an enemy shell came inboard DD Yuzuki and decapitated her captain,
who had hitherto been fighting his ship with great success against superior
numbers of the enemy’s destroyer screen. The loss of the captain, and other
members of the bridge crew, disrupted the command of the ship and Yuzuki also
came under fire from 6” guns directed from beyond visual range. The enemy
secured a number of hits in this way which resulted in the loss of all steam
power. As the enemy’s change of course had placed DD Yuzuki squarely in the
path of the entire enemy force, her loss was now inevitable and the order to
abandon ship was given.
I consider that
this order was entirely appropriate. The order to abandon ship ensured that
many of the crew were saved, and the lives of these trained and experienced
sailors were of greater value than any limited damage that Yuzuki could have
done to the enemy with her weak gun armament, her torpedoes having previously
been fired.
Having broken
contact, I returned to the scene in order to rescue survivors from Yuzuki, and
any Americans who might be in the water. A limited search around the
area of the last position of the Portland revealed some patches of burning oil,
a few bodies and much rubbish and floating debris in the water. No survivors
seemed to be present. I have therefore not been able to confirm that Portland
was sunk, although I consider it likely.
The enemy were equal in numbers to my force, superior in
strength (particularly in relation to gunnery armament, having 6” and 8” guns
to our 5.5”) and possessed of unknown technical means to direct their gunnery
beyond visual range. I consider it a credit to the training and professionalism
of the force under my command that we were able to engage successfully under
such conditions. Had a lucky enemy hit not killed the captain of DD Yuzuki at
an inopportune moment, I believe this ship might also have escaped unscathed,
but in any event her loss is well worth the certain crippling and probable
sinking of an enemy heavy cruiser.
Since daylight, the enemy have re-established visual contact
with me, but have not sought to engage. I judge there is limited benefit in
leading them away from the main fleet, as their air searches are likely to
discover the main fleet very rapidly wherever I lead them. My force is not
suitably armed to engage enemy heavy cruisers by daylight.
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