Battle of Sunda Strait maps (with Krakatoa Volcano)

[mg42gun 1]

Hello everyone i would suggest a naval maps based on real life battle of sunda strait (1942) 

 

Introduction :

The Sunda Strait is the strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. It connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean. The strait stretches in a roughly northeast/southwest orientation, with a minimum width of 24 km (15 mi) at its northeastern end between Cape Tua on Sumatra and Cape Pujat on Java. It is very deep at its western end, but as it narrows to the east it becomes much shallower, with a depth of only 20 m (65 feet) in parts of the eastern end. It is notoriously difficult to navigate because of this shallowness, very strong tidal currents, sandbanks, and man-made obstructions.

The strait is dotted by a number of islands, many of which are volcanic in origin. They include: Sangiang (Thwart-the-Way), Sebesi, Sebuku, and Panaitan (Prince's). The most famous volcano, however, is Krakatoa, which exploded in 1883 in one of the deadliest and most destructive eruptions in recorded history. Some areas, such as the coastal region of Java now incorporated into the Ujung Kulon National Park, have never been resettled, but much of the coastline is now very densely populated. Aside from Krakatoa's sole remaining peak, Rakata, the Krakatoa Archipelago consists of the islands of Lang (Panjang or Rakata Kecil), Verlaten (Sertung), and most recently, Anak Krakatau, which emerged in 1927 from the original Krakatoa's shattered remains.

The Battle of Sunda Strait :

HMAS Perth (Top) and USS Houston (Bottom)

 

In late February 1942, Japanese amphibious forces were preparing to invade Java, in the Dutch East Indies. On 27 February, the main American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM) naval force, under Admiral Karel Doorman–a Dutch officer–steamed northeast from Surabaya to intercept an imperial Japanese navy invasion fleet. This part of the ABDA force consisted of two heavy cruisers, including USS Houston under the command of Captain Albert H. Rooks, three light cruisers, including HMAS Perth under Captain Hector Waller, and nine destroyers. Only six out of nine of USS Houston's 8-inch (203-millimeter) heavy guns were operational because her aft gun turret had been knocked out in an earlier Japanese air raid. The ABDA force engaged the Japanese force in the Battle of the Java Sea. The Allied ships were all sunk or dispersed. Houston and Perth both retreated to Tanjung Priok, Java, the main port of Batavia, Dutch East Indies, where they arrived at 13:30 on 28 February.

On 28th February 1942, HMAS PERTH, a light cruiser, and USS HOUSTON, a heavy cruiser, having survived the Battle of the Java Sea the previous day, stopped briefly in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta’s port, to take on limited supplies of fuel and ammunition, before being ordered to withdraw to the south of Java via the Sunda Strait. Perth, under the command of Captain Hector Waller, and Houston, under the command of Captain Albert Rooks, departed Tanjung Priok at about 1900 hours and sailed at speed, mistakenly believing that the Sunda Strait was being patrolled by Australian corvettes. The only ships in the Strait, however, were the Japanese Western Java Invasion Convoy and its escorts, which included four heavy cruisers, a light cruiser and eleven destroyers.

The first contact was at about 22.30 with the Japanese destroyer Fubuki, which guarded the Eastern approaches, who followed them. At 23:06, when they were about half-way across the mouth of Bantam Bay, Perth sighted a ship about 4.3 nautical miles ahead, near Saint Nicolaas Point, which was initially thought to be an Australian corvette. However, when challenged, the Japanese destroyer Harukaze fired her nine Long Lance torpedoes, fortunately unsuccessfully. At this time, stronger Japanese forces were closing in on the small squadron, but the only result was hits on Japanese warships and none on the Allied ships. This was soon to change. Japanese destroyers fired about 28 torpedoes, none of which hit. The Perth and Houston replied with rapid gunfire and, in the case of Perth, torpedoes, and managed to score several hits on the destroyers, but were themselves also slightly damaged by gunfire. The heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma then arrived at the battle. Their 8 inch shells straddled the Perth and Houston and they also fired torpedoes.

At about 23.20, the allied cruisers were out of ammo and now could only hope to reach safer waters by high speed. Japanese torpedoes scored one hit on Perth, later followed by another two. This resulted in heavy loss of life, especially in engineering. Captain Waller ordered ‘abandon ship’, but the Perth received her fourth hit, which was too much for her. She sank at 0025 and took 375 men with her, with only 307 others being saved.

By this time, the Houston had also received several hits, including vital hits. A whole gun salvo hit the aft engine room where the high pressure steam killed almost everyone.

The central fire control system was down along with one of the forward 8 inch-turrets. At about 0020, the last operational turret was hit and Captain Rooks ordered the forward magazines flooded. Without the heavy guns, she now fought with her 5-inch guns and her machineguns. At about 0030, three torpedoes hit the Houston on her starboard side. The water entered the ship from all sides and Rooks ordered ‘abandon ship’. Captain Rooks died when he was hit by a part of a machinegun foundation. The Houston sank and took 698 of its crew with her. Only 368 were taken prisoner.

The Japanese suffer limited damage, with no ships were sunk except those by their own hands: a minesweeper was hit by a torpedo from heavy cruiser Mogami and was blown to pieces, along with a transport ship, the Sakuru Maru. Three other transports were damaged by their own side’s torpedoes. The loss of the Perth was the most major sacrifice made by the Royal Australian Navy during the tragic months of 1941-42 as Japanese forces advanced into south-east Asia.

 

Japanese Propaganda postcard depicting sinking of USS Houston

 

Map Location:

For this map i propose some location that might be potential as map location for battle of sunda strait historically and semi-historical (since most of naval maps are not based real life battlefield like air & ground maps, i added some exotic location that might be good as map location). in War Thunder this maps also can combine an exotic infamous Volcano Archipelago with real life naval battle location for new naval map addition.

 

1. Real life battle of sunda strait location

the main battle area of battle of sunda strait is located near Banten bay, between Coast of Merak, Banten and Bakauheni, Lampung in what today's is main ferry route between java and sumatera, in War Thunder this location is ideal for Rank III-V Destroyer and Cruiser battlefield, also EC mode would be good for depicting Japanese invasion of Dutch east indies (In game that would be Japan Vs USA and British Commonwealth)

Location of Battle of Sunda Strait from Google Earth

2. Krakatoa Archipelago

the most infamous volcano from indonesia, this location can be served as naval battle location for Rank i-III Boat and ship much like Volcano island map but bigger and based on infamous volcano

The Krakatoa Archipelago, notice the sand deposit in anak krakatau island is the result of 2018 eruption and Tsunami.

3D map of Krakatoa Archipelago

The Eruption Deposit surrounding anak krakatau south west part can be served as barrier or artificial island like ship hulk and island in black sea port map

3. Ujung Kulon National Park Peninsula

the home of Critically Endangered Javan Rhino,this location again can be served as naval battle for rank I-III Boat and Ship, perhaps in between Panaitan island and the ujung kulon Peninsula mainland or in Panaitan island Kasuaris bay.

Ujung Kulon Peninsula and Panaitan Island

 

Reference

https://jmvh.org/article/the-battle-of-the-sunda-strait/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krakatoa_archipelago

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2017/06/23/the-uss-houston-and-the-battle-of-sunda-strait/

Donald B. Freeman, The Straits of Malacca: Gateway Or Gauntlet?. McGill-Queen's Press, 2006.

https://earth.google.com/web/@-6.39434381,105.32326304,-52.01720506a,156902.93422272d,35y,357.61461574h,0t,0r

 

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Suggestion passed to the developers for consideration.