THE DARKEST HOUR - VOLUME 1: The Japanese Offensive in the Indian Ocean 1942 - The Opening Moves

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The goal of the Imperial Japanese Navy offensive in the Indian Ocean area in March-April 1942, was to destroy the Royal Navy in the Far East and achieve domination on the western flank of the Pacific War on the eve of the Battle of Midway. The bold operation by two Japanese task forces (Kido Butai and Malay Force) in the Indian Ocean would only be possible with the fall of Singapore in February and the Dutch East Indies in early March 1942. Includes 75 b/w photos, one color illustrations, 24 color profiles, four maps, and 31 tables.

From the strategic point of view, the Japanese offensive in the Indian Ocean was the only moment in WWII when the Axis forces could coordinate their efforts to severely threaten the position of the British Empire in the crucial Middle Eastern and Indian theaters.

Volume 1 of The Darkest Hour describes the strategic planning and opening moves of both sides in February-March 1942, including the Japanese navy projections on the final steps of the first stage of the Pacific War, and the Royal Navy's hopes to halt the enemy advance without taking any significant risks. The Japanese offensive in the Indian Ocean began in March 1942 with the invasion of the Andaman Islands and Christmas Island. By securing both vital positions, the Japanese navy planned to establish its advanced bases in the eastern part of the Bay of Bengal.

In the next step, the invincible Kido Butai consisting of five aircraft carriers and their escorts, was expected to crush the British bases on Ceylon and once and forever destroy the main core of the Eastern Fleet. The chaos provoked by the Kido Butai would then become a great opportunity for the Malay Force to cut off the British shipping routes in the western part of the Bay of Bengal.