Merdeka Rising by Rory Marron

Author:Rory Marron [Marron, Rory]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 9780957630567
Publisher: Seventh Citadel
Published: 2014-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

Surabaya

Two large Plexiglas gun blisters on the Catalina-PBY flying-boat gave Henssen a wonderful view over a familiar, bustling central Surabaya. To his amazement there were cars, carts and bicycles in the bustling streets. Unlike Batavia, wartime camouflage had already been removed from the roofs of buildings and people were seated at tables on café terraces or sitting in parks. Small crowds stood outside cinemas and work crews were out repairing roads. It seemed the city was fast returning to its pre-war normality.

Encouraged, Henssen directed the pilot to circle over the harbour and naval base at Tandjong Perak. There was little obvious damage to the infrastructure of the shipyards, quays, submarine docks and warehouses. He smiled, glad now that Java had been spared Allied bombing. It meant his mission would be so much easier.

His eyes raked over the Japanese vessels in the harbour as he jotted down types and numbers. Here he was disappointed. A fire-gutted destroyer sat in dry dock. There were also two submarines but even from the air these showed crippling damage from depth-charge attacks. Other craft were mainly small torpedo boats and river patrol launches. Only a Hasutaka-class minelayer, anchored out in the roadstead, appeared serviceable. Henssen had an idea. If the minelayer were seaworthy she might be used to ferry Dutch reinforcements over from New Guinea…. He made a note to suggest it in his first report to Admiral Hurwitz.

The Catalina’s engines changed pitch as it banked to begin its final approach. As they descended, Henssen noticed at least ten Japanese Navy reconnaissance planes as well as three large transports lined up at Morokrembangan airfield. He scribbled more notes.

A rising-sun flag fluttered atop the airfield flagpole. Henssen frowned. ‘We’ll see about that…’ he said under his breath. Several Dutch flags were packed in his luggage.

The flying boat came in low over a few brightly coloured fishing boats. Red and white nationalist flags flew from their sterns. Henssen did not see the fishermen making obscene gestures in response to the Dutch markings. On the calm water the Catalina skipped just twice, then settled in the gentle swell of the landing dock.

‘There’s a reception committee,’ the pilot called out with evident relief. He had been far from keen to fly over the city.

Through one of the portholes Henssen saw a line of Japanese marines drawn up near the jetty. ‘Yes, they were advised I was coming,’ he said casually, enjoying the emphasis he put on the ‘I.’

A neat, young Japanese captain greeted him with a crisp salute as he stepped off the jetty. ‘Captain Henssen?’

Henssen nodded, paused, and then saluted in return. The Japanese continued in slow but precise English. ‘My name is Saito. Welcome to Surabaya.’

‘Thank you, Captain,’ he said casually. ‘Actually, I know the city well. I have a house here.’

Saito nodded. ‘Yes, 15 Weltgarten.’

Henssen tried to hide his surprise. Then he realised that the Japanese had had over three years to examine the files abandoned in 1942. They would know everything about the Surabaya base

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