077 - Dorsetshire and Cornwall Sunk

Indian Ocean Raids

The goal for the Japanese Navy’s First Air Fleet was Ceylon (now Sri Lanka); however, a PBY Catalina Scout Plane from the Royal Air Force spotted the fleet on the afternoon of April 4th.
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As Japanese Zeroes intercepted and shot down the PBY, the British radioman called in their position, alerting the Allied Forces of the Kido Butai’s position.

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The following morning, the Kido Butai launched a striking force of 36 Val Dive Bombers and 53 Kate Torpedo Bombers, escorted by a 36-plane fleet of Zero fighter plane escorts. They attacked Ceylon, doing minor damage, sinking a single British merchant ship, and downing 25 RAF Aircraft.

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Meanwhile, a small British Carrier Force, consisting of HMS Formidable and HMS Indomitable and their escort ships, were sent to find and attack the Kido Butai. After an extensive search without finding the Japanese Carriers, the British Fleet was running short on fuel and retired to port, with the British Cruisers HMS Dorsetshire and HMS Cornwall heading to Ceylon.

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Around noon, a Japanese scout plane spotted the two British cruisers. A massive Air Fleet of 53 Aichi D2A Dive Bombers attacked the two heavy cruisers, quickly dumping bomb loads into the British ships’ hulls. Ten bombs struck the Dorsetshire and another eight struck the Cornwall.

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The hulls were ripped open as ammo loads exploded within the ships. While the Dorsetshire sunk quickly, the Cornwall remained afloat until British submarines were ordered to sink her so she should not fall into enemy hands.