Indian Ocean raid (1944)

This article has an unclear citation style. The reason given is: article uses multiple citation styles, including inline parenthetical referencing. Pick one style, and use it consistently. The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of citation and footnoting. (March 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Second Indian Ocean raid
Part of Pacific War
U.S. Navy recognition drawing for Aoba-class cruisers
Date 1–16 March 1944 Location Indian Ocean Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Japan	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Naomasa Sakonju	James Somerville
Strength
3 heavy cruisers
Casualties and losses
None	1 steamer sunk 3 killed
Either 72 or 89 British survivors were murdered by Japanese forces after being taken prisoner.

In March 1944, in Operation SA No.1, a force of three Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) heavy cruisers raided Allied shipping in the Indian Ocean. The cruisers departed Japanese-held territory on 1 March with the support of other IJN vessels and aircraft. On 9 March, they encountered and sank the British steamer Behar, with the heavy cruiser Tone picking up over 100 survivors. Fearing detection, the Japanese force subsequently returned to the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), arriving on 16 March.

Two days later, either 72 or 89 British crew and passengers of Behar were murdered on board Tone. Following the war the commander of the raid, Rear Admiral Naomasa Sakonju, was executed for this war crime and Tone's captain Haruo Mayuzumi (ja:黛治夫) was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.