Japanese shipping in the Gulf of Siam on the 15 June, 1945.

[JOHNB84]

Hello all
I am looking (hopefully) for the names of a Japanese 10,000 ton oil tanker and its two navy escorts that were attacked by 99 Squadron Liberators off the Kok Samoi Island in the Gulf of Siam on the 15 June, 1945. I am presently talking to a veteran of this operation, and he know longer remembers the names of the three Japanese ships, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Below is a extract from “Each Tenacious”, a history of 99 Squadron. The Navigator that lost his life baling out was one of my local lads.

John

On 15 June came an attempt by seven 99 Squadron Liberators to destroy a 10,000 ton enemy oil tanker off the Kok Samoi Island in the Gulf of Siam. They took off in the worst of monsoon weather and only three aircraft reached the target. Three others returned to Dhubalia with their bombs and another, captained by Flight Lieutenant N D Archer, bombed an alternative target — railway installations at Bancoud inflicting some damage. Of the three which reached the target, Flight Lieutenant D V Ludbey in "M-Mother" made two runs without success in face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire from two escorting destroyers and returned to Dhubalia with severe damage. Flying Officer Wheeler in "F-Freddie" attacked at mast level and his aircraft was repeatedly hit by anti-aircraft fire. His bombs would not release but his nose and rear gunners scored hits on the target. Severely damaged, the aircraft limped away from the target and diverted to Akyab where the Flight Engineer was crushed and burnt to death in a crash landing. The third aircraft to reach the target area, captained by Pilot Officer Parkin, was repeatedly hit during its bombing run, the starboard tail fin was shot away and the bombs were blown off their racks and considerable damage was done. The Navigator and Bomb Aimer baled out in the target area and the Navigator lost his life, but the Bomb Aimer was taken prisoner of war and was released a few months later. Meanwhile, the aircraft was flown to Mingaladon, but crashed on landing killing the captain.