Japanese activities in the Dutch East Indies increasing according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 19 February 1942

An item reported that American bombers believed to have sunk one large and one small Japanese transport off Banka Island, Dutch East Indies. Japanese aircraft attacked Surabaya, Dutch East Indies although just causing light damage and loosing 5 bombers. Also Koepang, Dutch was attacked by Japanese aircraft and the J.I.C. believed that an early landing on Timor was a real possibility.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 71 dated 19 February 1942

Japanese aircraft attacking Darwin, Australia according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 20 February 1942

American Clemson-class destroyer©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the Japanese attacked twice the shipping and airfield at Darwin, Australia on 19 February. At least 2 ships including a destroyer (1) were lost and at least 3 other ships heavily damaged. There was no information available about the airfields. The J.I.C. commented that again the Japanese skills in air attacks was proven. The shipping at Darwin included the convoy which was forced to return from Koepang, Dutch Timor after it was attacked in the Timor Sea and shadowed afterwards by the Japanese. The fighters involved in both raids as escorts of the bombers must be carrier-borne regarded their radius.

Note

1. USS Peary DD-226 part of Clemson-class, laid down by William Cramp&Sons, Philadelphia, USA with yard number 492 on 9 September 1919, launched on 6 April 1920, commissioned on 22 October 1920, lost on 19 February 1942 and stricken on 8 May 1942.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 72 dated 20 February 1942

French aviso Bellatrix visited the Dutch East Indie in 1932

British Arabis-class minesweeping sloops©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1931-1932 reported that French aviso Bellatrix (1) visited the Dutch East Indies harbours Ambon (2) 15-18 August 1932 and Surabaya 22-29 August 1932. The Indische courant dated 18 August reported that according to a telegram dated 17 August her arrival was delayed with a week. The original planning was that she after visiting Australia would arrive on 17 August at Surabaya. She was now lying at Ambon (2) and would visit Surabaya against the 24th and from there destined for Saigon, French Indochina. The edition dated 24 August reported her passing of the Westervaarwater at 06:00 o’clock and berthing alongside the Oedjoeng quay at 08:45 o’clock. She was described as having a standard displacement of 1,121 tons, armed with 2-5.5” guns, a crew numbering around 100 men, coal fuelled and a maximum speed of 17 miles. Edition date 25 August mentioned a whole program of organized activities for her crew. The edition dated Monday 29 August reported that the day before the French commanding officer, some French and Dutch naval officers and the French consul visited Tosari where they lunched. This morning she departed towards Singapore for supplies and from there towards her station Tahiti. The Soerabijasch handelsblad dated 24 August supplied some more details. According to the French consul Mr. P.J. Bijlard was she destined for Saigon for to undergo some repairs. She came from Sydney, Australia via Koepang, Dutch Timor and would probably on Monday for Singapore. She was commanded by capitaine de frégate Constantin. The arrival at ‘toekang plag” is also detailed described. She was white painted, an old ship with a length of 80 meters and a draught of 4,20 metres, armed with 2-14cm guns (1 fore, 1 aft) and at both sides 2-7.5cm guns.

Notes

1. British Arabis-class minesweeping sloop was ordered in January 1916. Launched by D.&W. Henderson and Company, Partick, Scotland on 29 May 1916, delivered to France in 1916 and deleted in 1933.

2. At Ambon were wreaths laid on the French mass grave on the European graveyard. During the Crimean War (16 October 1853-20 March 1856) visited the French frigate Sybille commanded by Villeneuve Ambound underway towards Kamchatka to join the British-French fleet. By drinking poisoned drinking water broke out an epidemic and between November 1854-February 1855 died 73 crew members. Villeneuve afraid of lacking men asked the resident of Ambon for support especially for being towed as far as Poeloe Manipa. The resident refused while the Netherlands were neutral. Villeneuve protested at the French cabinet without success. The Sybille left at the end without any Dutch support. The 50 guns Poursuivante-class sailing frigate Sibylle laid down at Toulon in November 1829, launched on 7 November 1847, commissioned on 8 April 1851 and stricken on 13 May 1881. During the Crimean War she served in the Far East. 

British destroyer HMS Voyager bound for Gibraltar according to the weekly appreciation of matters of naval interest No. 61 for the week ended 14 February 1920

Sister ship HMS Wakeful, Admiralty W-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported the departure on 13 February of the British destroyer HMS Voyager from Portland towards Gibraltar.

Note

1. D31. Part of Admiralty W-class preceded by S- and Parker-classes succeeded by Thornycroft type destroyer leaders Ambuscade and Amazon. Laid down by Alexander Stephens and Sons on 17 May 1917, launched on 8 May 1918, commissioned on 24 June 1918, decommissioned on 11 October 1933, handed over to the Royal Australian Navy, decommissioned on 14 April 1936, reommissioned on 26 April 1938, run aground in Betano Bay, Timor on 23 September 1942 and lost next day in a Japanese air attack.

Source

The National Archives, Kew Gardens, England CAB-24-98-79

Bulk fuel tanks at the Japanese base at Tenau, Dutch Timor bombed by Allied forces in October 1945

By Charles Bush

Source

Australian War Memorial. 

Japanese forces invading Amboina, Dutch East Indies according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 31 January 1942

An item reported that the Japanese invaded Amboina Island, Moluccas, Dutch East Indies with a force of 1,000 men supported by aircraft. Earlier was a Japanese convoy consisting of 3 cruisers, 4 destroyers and 4 transports in the vicinity reported. The J.I.C. commented that Amboina was the principal air and naval base in the eastern part of the Dutch East Indies and expected on short notice an attack on the Timor-Flores area.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945 mr0422. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 52 dated 31 January 1942

Japanese cargo ship Yubari Maru 1930-1942

Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Sister ships Sorachi Maru-Yubari Maru (1930). Call sign JFKC. Built by Mitshui Bussan Kaisha Ld. Tama Dockyard in 1930, requisitioned by the navy in August 1941, registered as collier in September 1941 and sunk by Dutch aircraft in the harbour of Koepang, Timor, Dutch East Indies in March 1942. Gross tonnage 4,109 tons, under deck 3,419 tons, netto tonnage 2,489 tons, deadweight 6,353 tons and as dimensions 351.5 x 49.0 x 27.7 x 7 (light)-23 (loaded) feet. Reciproating propulsion, single screw, horsepower 241 nhp, coal bunker capacity 476 tons, range 6,000 nautical miles/10.5 knots and speed 10.5 (normal cruising)-12 (maximum) knots. 

Australian aircraft attacked Koepang, Dutch East Indies according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 6 April 1942

An item reported that on 3 April 4 Australian R.A.A.F. bombers attacked Koepang, Timor, Dutch East Indies scoring a near miss on a merchant ship in the harbour.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 117 dated 6 April 1942.

Japanese naval air base at Koepang, Dutch Timor attacked by Allied aircraft according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 21 April 1942

An item reported that Allied aircraft reconnoitered on 18 and 19 April Koepang, Dutch Timor, Dutch East Indies encountered by Japanese anti aircraft defence. The J.I.C. commented that in the past month Allied aircraft keep attacking Koepang forcing the Japanese as it seems of moving their naval air base to another position possible Ambon.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 132 dated 21 April 1942

British minesweeping sloop HMS Hollyhock was to visit Borneo, Malaysia and the Dutch East Indies according to the Weekly Intelligence Summary No. 19 for the week ending19 March 1921

An item reported that the British minesweeping sloop HMS Hollyhock during her voyage between April and October was to visit the coast of Borneo to Timor, Tawao (Malaysia), Sangkulirang, Dongola, Samarinda, Pamukan Bay, Bandjermassin, Macassar and Surabaya (Dutch East Indies).

Note

1. Of the Acacia-class mine sweeping sloops of which the building was ordered in January 1915 under the Emergency War Program, before 1917 mainly used as minesweeper afterwards as escort vessels. Launched by Barclay Curle&Company, Whiteinch, Scotland on 1 May 1915 and sold to be broken up on 7 October 1930.

Source

The National Archives, Kew Gardens, England CAB-24-121-62

Australian airforce attacked Japanese shipping in the Bego-Suai area according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 12 August 1942

An item reported the disembarkment of Japanese troops from 5 ships in the Bego-Suai area, east coast of Timor. The Australian airforce R.A.A.F. attacked Japanese shipping hitting 3 merchant ships of which two were set a fire and further more was a destroyer hit by two bombs. Dutch military were still fighting back as guerrilla’s.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 245 dated 12 August 1942.

Prisoners of war forced by Japanese to work at Koepang, Dutch East Indies according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 16 March 1942

An item reported that the Japanese engaged 500 prisoners of war in wharf construction work at Koepang, Dutch Timor, Dutch East Indies.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 96 dated 16 March 1942.

British whaler Marquis Lanadown visited St. Helena according to the newspaper The Cape of Good Hope Gazette dated 13 January 1837

Made by John Heaviside Clark (circa 1771-1863). Flensing in progress 1814

An item reported the arrival at St. Helena on 1 October 1836 of the whaler Marquis Lanadown master W.F. Plant coming from Timor, Dutch East Indies bound for London.(1)

Note

1. Launched by John Scott&Co., Fort Gloucester, Calcutta, British Indies on 30 March 1824, last mentioned in 1847. Tonnage 208-225-225 78/94 or 233 tons builder measurement and as dimensions 28.2 x 7.0 metres or 92.5 x 22.10 feet. Made 4 voyages as a southern whaler between 1829 and 1845. She returned home on 20 December 1836 loaded with 500 casks whale oil. 

Whaling bark Pilot According to the The Cape of Good Hope Almanac and Annual Register for 1846

The New Pictorial and Illustrated Family Magazine established for the diffusion of useful knowledge, 

vol. III. Robert Sears editor, New York 1846.

An item reported the arrival in the Algoa Bay on 21 November 1844 by the whaling bark Pilot with a tonnage of 409 tons, master C.S. Blake, coming from Timor, Dutch East Indies on 21 September on whaling.

Harbour of Koepang, Timor, Dutch East Indie becoming more and more important for Japan according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 29 March 1942

An item reported that Koepang, Timor, Dutch East Indies became more and more an important harbour for the Japanese for landing troops and merchant shipping. In the area was at least 50.000 tons of merchant ships sighted. During the Allied air attack reported on 27 March was a 17.000 ton ship set afire.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 109 dated 29 March 1942.

British whaler Reynard visited St. Helena in 1831

Made by John Heaviside Clark (circa 1771-1863) Flensing in progress around 1814

The British whaler Reynard, master E. Grey, arrived on 1 November 1831, coming from Timor, Dutch East Indies, bound for London, England and departed on 12 November 1831.  

Source

The St. Helena Calendar and directory for 1832. William Bateman, St. Helena, 1832. 

British whaler Pacific visited St. Helena in 1831

Made by John Heaviside Clark (circa 1771-1863) Flensing in progress around 1814

The British whaler Pacific, master J. Allen, arrived on 16 September 1831, coming from Timor, Dutch East Indies, bound for London, England and departed on 21 September 1831.  

Source

The St. Helena Calendar and directory for 1832. William Bateman, St. Helena, 1832. 

British whaler Sarah Ann visited St. Helena in 1831

Made by John Heaviside Clark (circa 1771-1863) Flensing in progress around 1814

The British whaler Sarah Ann, master J. Green, arrived on 1 June 1831, coming from Timor, Dutch East Indies,  bound for London, England and departed on 15 June 1831.  

Source

The St. Helena Calendar and directory for 1832. William Bateman, St. Helena, 1832. 

British whaler Brothers visited St. Helena in 1831

Made by John Heaviside Clark (circa 1771-1863) Flensing in progress around 1814

The British whaler Brothers, master J. Gibson, arrived on 28 May 1831, coming from Timor, Dutch East Indies, bound for London, England and departed on 4 June 1831.  

Source

The St. Helena Calendar and directory for 1832. William Bateman, St. Helena, 1832.

British whaler Elizabeth visited St. Helena in 1831

Made by John Heaviside Clark (circa 1771-1863) Flensing in progress around 1814

The British whaler Elizabeth, master W. Mattinson, arrived on 2 April 1831, coming from Timor, Dutch East indies, bound for London, England and departed on 10 April 1831.  

Source

The St. Helena Calendar and directory for 1832. William Bateman, St. Helena, 1832.