[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Armistead

They certainly would've lack escorts, DD's for sure. Since lurker put it in be nice to know the historical accurancy of it or not. I know many thought the battle of Balikpapan should'nt have taken place, around April to July 45. Fought mostly my the Australians and they lost many. I do recall it was reinforced early war, had a large oil pipeline and a few airfields.

Turns out it was historically accurate...mostly....found this in the Japanese Convoy History, which is in the RSRD readme.That is the convoy, says it was unescorted until the 17th.Guess the short trip and coastal route in shallows made them comfortable enough to run without escort.

1300.
14th. January, 1945.
From: Surabaya, north-east Java.
To: Makassar, south-west Celebes Island, Bandjarmasin - southern Borneo - Balikpapan, south-east Borneo.
TAI MARU convoy.
Tai Maru, Shoyu Maru, No. 11 Sanko Maru, Kako Maru, Nanmei Maru (Makassar bound.)
Hosei Maru, ****sushi Maru (Balikpapan bound.)
Nittei Maru (Bandjarmasin bound) (8).
No escorts.
On the day of departure the convoy at 1930 anchored at Kanbin Island, it left there at 0700 on the 15th. The same
day at 1540 the convoy anchored at the south corner of Tanjun, at 0700 on the 16th. it left.
At 1350 on the 17th. Submarine-chaser No. 56 joined the convoy, at 2300 Nittei Maru left the formation bound for
Bandjarmasin.
At 0400 on the 18th. the convoy moved into squalls, consequently Nanmei Maru's where-abouts became unknown,
three hours later a search was begun but the ship was not found. At 1430 that day the convoy anchored in the area
north-north-west of Dato Island, at 2330 Patrol-boat No. 36 joined the escort.
At 0600 on the 19th. the convoy left the Dato Island area, at 0800 the next day Auxiliary minesweeper No. 3 joined
the escort. At 1740 on the 21st. the convoy arrived at Makassar. Here at 1500 on the 22nd. Hosei Maru and
****sushi Maru left together with Patrol-boat's No. 108 and
No. 36. At 2210 on the 23rd. they were joined by the auxiliary submarine-chaser No. 2 Shonan Maru, at 0900 on the

26th. they arrived safely at Balikpapan.