Hilfskreuzer Michel

The German Raiders Thor and Michel

August 16, 2020 PE Matt 0

After the loss of the Kormoran on November 19th, 1941, there were no German auxiliary cruisers still afloat anywhere in the Pacific or Indian oceans. Keen to put pressure on the Royal Navy and force it to defend […]

Diego Suarez during Operation Ironclad

The Invasion of Madagascar

September 3, 2017 PE Matt 0

Plans to take the Vichy French island of Madagascar, codenamed Operation Ironclad, had been laid even before the Japanese fleet made their incursion into the Indian Ocean in April 1942. The fear was that the […]

The Fall of Burma

August 27, 2017 PE Matt 1

After the fall of Rangoon in early March 1942, the remaining RAF and AVG aircraft withdrew to Magwe airfield in central Burma, from where they hoped to give what air cover they could to the […]

The Indian Ocean Raid: Colombo

February 12, 2017 PE Matt 0

On March 26th, 1942, the Japanese Kido Butai departed from its anchorage at Staring Bay and set course for the Indian Ocean. Five of the six carriers under the command of Admiral Chuichi Nagumo were […]

The Evacuation of Rangoon

December 30, 2016 PE Matt 0

During their advance southwards, the Japanese had undertaken a limited air offensive against the British colony of Burma, aimed at neutralising the small RAF force based in and around the capital of Rangoon. After inflicting […]

Fall of Singapore, 1942

The Fall of Singapore: The Net Closes

April 29, 2016 PE Matt 0

As British and Commonwealth troops headed for Singapore, the Japanese air forces moved to complete the besiegement of the city. Several convoys of transports were engaged in either bringing fresh troops and supplies to the […]

Malaya, Singapore, and the Battle of Endau

March 25, 2016 PE Matt 0

Whilst the battle for Muar raged, the Japanese continued to pound Singapore into submission and make preparations for further advancing south through Malaya. Large air raids were an almost daily occurrence, with the British and […]

In Defence of Singapore

March 11, 2016 PE Matt 0

As the British consolidated their air forces on the airfields of Singapore, they took stock of their remaining planes. The fighters of 243 Squadron and 488 (RNZAF) Squadron were in reasonable shape, having been spared […]

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