SS Montanan: a glimpse into the war in The Indian Ocean

As is my usual practice looking for something specific (Lee's quest for Lascar with the RAF) I came across a comprehensive website on an American merchant shipping company, the American-Hawaiian Line, and the sinking of the SS Montanan on June 3rd 1943, by the Japanese submarine I-27 (scroll down for more details), 150 miles south of Masirah Island, Oman. Seven crew died and fifty-four survived the sinking (some died when at sea).

Link: SS Arkansan - Montanan

The account gives a glimpse to several aspects of the war in the Indian Ocean: geography, climate (affecting air operations), the RAF presence at several bases in the vicinity - with a variety of aircraft, the effectiveness of airborne radar, and I-27 captained by Lieutenant Commander Toshiaki Fukumura (he appears in multiple threads - not shown here - and includes a section on the sinking of the Khedive Ismail).

The SS Montanan had arrived at Bandar Shahpur, Persia; it is not clear what she carried there; the port was used to supply the USSR. She left Abadan unescorted alone, in ballast, heading for Mombasa, Kenya. She was armed with two guns and machine guns. crewed by the USN.

I knew of the RAF using Masirah Island, Oman in more recent times, not the use in WW2:

Also see: Masirah Island - Wikipedia and an archive site RAF MASIRAH, OMAN, REMEMBERED

Did the Japanese know of the RAF's use?

There were three RAF squadrons: No. 212 with Catalinas (based near Karachi (Pakistan), and No. 244 with Blenheim IV & V (Bisley) based at Sharjah (then in the Trucial States, now UAE). No. 191 with Catalinas, at Karachi, joined in the SAR mission.

USAAF Dakotas (DC-3) flying en route to China / India four days after the sinking spotted a submarine on the surface near Masirah. A follow-up Catalina patrol found a ship's boat on the 8th June, but took in water on landing and sank. It appears no-one was aware of the Montanan's sinking. On the 9th June a Bisley sighted a submarine on the surface, the depth charge release failed and the plane ditched safely. By the 11th June the SAR mission ended.

Misc points: In 1941 the Montanan appeared in the April 21st edition of Life Magazine. On pages 34 and 35 was a brief article entitled: ‘A Messerschmitt 110, Gift from the R.A.F'. (So before the USA formally entered WW2),

SS Athlone Castle, a passenger ship, taking the survivors home from Bombay, amongst its passengers were: 63 Chinese Air Force Cadets and 49 Chinese Air Force Officers. Another sunk ship's story refers to:

Seven U-Boats were operating then, 22/6/1942, in the Indian Ocean; all had left the area for refuelling from the tanker, from Japan, the Charlotte Schliemann - which was finally sunk 9th February 1944 (See, as starting points: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?58016 and uboat.net - RE: CHARLOTTE SCHLEIMANN )
From: SS Arkansan - Washingtonian

In the section on Toshiaki Fukumura there is his later attack on the Lyman Stewart:

The USN armed guards aboard merchantmen: main page World War II US Navy Armed Guard and World War II US Merchant Marine and an Indian Ocean summary: Persian with a short passage on the Lyman Stewart.

Visiting the few websites that refer to this incident not much more was found.

The I-27 twice took officers from ship sunk aboard, one British and one Dutch. Their travails are detailed, the Dutch man didn't survive.

The I-27 finally disappeared May-July 1944 in the Indian Ocean and:

More on I-27: The War Cruises of I27 - Part 1 - Page 5 of 6 - Naval Historical Society of Australia

 

On the forum there are two relevant threads on 212 Squadron, which after the defeat in France (presumably then with Catalinas), moved to Korangi Creek, near Karachi. The main thread is: 212 Squadron base at Korangi Creek 1940-1945

Plus: No. 212 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia and little else readily found.

For 244 Squadron only one thread: The loss of U 533 to an aircraft of 244 Squadron. 16th October 1943

There were two websites which covered them, both are no longer functioning alas. Wiki: No. 244 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia and two veteran's recollections: WWII Period and Recollections: John Wouters

For 191 Squadron, a very thin Wiki: No. 191 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia and little else readily found.

 

David,

Thanks for bringing my page on the SS Montanan to light on the forum. Hard to believe it is coming up on 9 years years I added it to my site. I had a great time researching this little known corner of the war, and especially connecting with a actual veteran who served there, the Amazing William Barrie of No. 212 Squadron, Korangi Creek. Hopefully this post will ignite some new interest in the topic.