HMS Cicala

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Fatboy Coxy
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HMS Cicala

Post by Fatboy Coxy »

HMS Kuala, an auxiliary anti-submarine ship, converted from a coastal steamer, by adding a single 4-inch gun forward, a couple of Lewis machine guns on the bridge wings, and two racks of depth charges to compliment her ASDIC was leading, a stately 8 knots being maintained to aid the pre-WW1 coal fired coastal steamer, who’s top speed wouldn’t be much more. The other two small merchant ships of the convoy, sailing in single file, weren’t much younger or faster. But their cargos were desperately needed for the troops fighting 100 miles further up the coast.

Following these four ships was the Insect class gunboat HMS Cicala, her captain, Lt Cdr John Boldero, standing on his bridge, was quite concerned about the late arrival of the relief anti submarine air cover. Mid-morning now, apart from a few clouds, it was a beautiful day, although the temperature was climbing. Just what he didn’t want, the convoys smoke couldn’t hope to be hid by any low cloud cover, or the backdrop of the jungle clad mountains on his port side, as they hugged the coast.

To the north, just over the horizon, the Fubuki class destroyer Hatsuyuki was beginning her turn to return northwards, having completed her patrol sweep south, when suddenly an outlook called out, smoke, fine off the starboard bow. Lieutenant Commander Kamiura Junnari gave a small tight-lipped smile and ordered a course direct for the smoke.

Kuala spotted her first, and was quick to signal Cicala, smoke to the north. A minute later the three merchantmen were doing their best to make a 180-degree turn, while Cicala turned away from the coast, placing her charges between her and the coastline. They could make out an outline now, warship, light cruiser or destroyer, hard to tell, but whichever, bad news.

Pilot officer John Smith was quite content with life, a good breakfast inside him, and a lovely day for flying, and the small convoy he was to shepherd for the next four hours was just coming in sight. That was until he noticed the smoke northward, which was quickly materialising into a fast warship heading their way. He waved to his air gunner come observer Tom Jones, sitting in the rear cockpit of the old Vildebeest biplane, a couple of depth charges slung under her wings.

Lt Cmdr Junnari could make them out now, four coastal steamers, and a river gunboat, all steaming south, an antiquated biplane circling overhead. At 20 knots he was fast overhauling them, about 9 miles off the coast, he would soon be in range of the gunboat.

And so it plays out….
Regards
Fatboy Coxy

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