Action of 11 January 1944 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Action of 11 January 1944 |
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| Part of the Pacific theatre of the Second World War | |||||||
 Plan of the Japanese light cruiser Kuma |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United Kingdom |
 Japan |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Commander Leslie Bennington |
 Captain Sugino Shuichi |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Submarine Tally-Ho | Light cruiser Kuma Destroyer Uranami |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | Kuma sunk 138 killed |
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The action of 11 January 1944 was a small but important naval battle. It happened during the Second World War. A British submarine, HMS Tally-Ho, sank the Japanese light cruiser Kuma. The Kuma was being protected by the destroyer Uranami. This event took place about 10 nautical miles (19 km) north-west of Penang, which is now part of Malaysia.
Contents
Hunting for Japanese Ships
The British submarine Tally-Ho was on patrol. It had sailed from its base in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. The crew was looking for Japanese ships. On January 9, they spotted the Japanese light cruiser Kuma near Penang.
The Kuma was practicing how to find and fight submarines. Other destroyers were with her, making it hard for Tally-Ho to get close enough to attack. However, the British submarine was able to figure out the Kuma's usual path. This helped them plan a good spot to wait and attack the cruiser.
The Attack Begins
On the morning of January 11, Commander Leslie Bennington of the Tally-Ho saw something important. He spotted a Japanese Pete floatplane flying. This plane was flying along the same route where the Kuma was expected to appear. This was a sign that the cruiser was coming.
Just before 9:00 AM, the officer on watch saw the masts of the Kuma. The Japanese cruiser had the destroyer Uranami as its escort.
Torpedoes Away!
Around midday, when they were about 10 nautical miles (19 km) north-west of Penang, Commander Bennington gave the order. The Tally-Ho fired seven torpedoes from about 1,900 yards (1,700 m) away.
The lookouts on the Kuma quickly saw the torpedoes' trails in the water. Captain Sugino, the commander of the Kuma, immediately turned his ship sharply. But it was too late. Two torpedoes hit the Kuma on its right side, near the back.
Kuma Sinks
After hitting the Kuma, Commander Bennington decided to move his submarine. He headed towards the shallower waters near the shore. The destroyer Uranami tried to fight back. It dropped 18 depth charges, but none of them hit the Tally-Ho.
A big fire started on board the Kuma. The ship soon began to sink by its back end. As it went down, its own depth charges exploded underwater. The Uranami then rescued the sailors who survived, including Captain Sugino. Sadly, 138 crew members from the Kuma were lost.
After its successful attack, the Tally-Ho managed to get away safely. It returned to its base in Trincomalee.
See Also
- List of shipwrecks in 1944
Images for kids
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Plan of the Japanese light cruiser Kuma
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HMS Tally-Ho
