On 15–16 May 1945, the British fought the Battle of the Malacca Strait; the 26th Destroyer Flotilla (composed of Saumarez, Venus, Verulam, Vigilant and Virago) sank the Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro in the Malacca Straits using torpedoes. The location and destruction of these German raiders consumed much British naval effort until the last raider – Michel – was sunk in October 1943.

For the casual reader, it serves as an effective introduction to the southern China-Burma-India theater in the earliest days of World War II. It is surprising how negative picture of Churchill is presented by the opinions of admirals and generals of the British forces. Christmas celebrations during the Second World War often had to be scaled down or adjusted as restrictions and shortages took their toll.

Carrier Division 2 rejoined the main body's track at 18:00, [42] and caught up at 22:00 180 miles (290 km) due east of Force A. The rearming encountered delays, and the strike was carried out by Carrier Division 2 instead; Soryu and Hiryu began launching dive bombers at 11:45. The Japs had the best of the road lay-out in Burma, but even so it was inadequate, for road transport develops its own appetites. For the more-focused armchair historian, the text and notes will save significant time otherwise spent translating Japanese primary documents and references. Printed by Amullya Dhone Rose in the office of The Statesman, Calcutta, who provided free facilities as a generous war gift.

We are informed about a few naval actions, Japanese and British carrier strikes and about submarine operations. Allied advances in the Mediterranean and northern Europe during 1943 and 1944, however, released naval resources. Charles Stephenson is an established author on naval and siege warfare and the history of fortifications, with the following books in print: The Fortifications of Malta 1530-1945, Zeppelins: German Airships 1900-40, The Channel Islands 1941-45: Hitler's Impregnable Fortress, The Admirals Secret Weapon: Lord Dundonald and the Origins of Chemical Warfare and Germanys Asia-Pacific Empire: Colonialism and Naval Policy, 1885-1914. While all these troubles of supply were piling up, the Eastern Fleet which had long been massing in the Indian Ocean, moved over to the offen­sive. Within an hour of QL-A's report, D’Albiac met with his subordinates to discuss an anticipated Japanese strike after dawn.At the end of August 1944, Admiral Somerville was relieved as Commander-in-Chief Eastern Fleet by Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, former Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet. Since Pearl Harbour the Americans had sunk 750 cargo ships, so that by 1944 the Japs had fallen back on ferry boats, coasters, junks and sampans. For readers seeking some action the narrow escape of Somerville fleet from Nagumo's carrier force is narrated in superb detail; as are the later RN carrier raids on Sumatra and the Nicobars. So too and even more was China, still fighting our common enemy, Japan, after five years and still almost with bare hands. You can embed or download low-resolution images free of charge for private and non-commercial use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.