JAMES MAGENNIS

The Takao-class heavy cruiser had been a threat to US and allied forces throughout the Pacific War. It had been in action since 1941 and participated in many engagements, sinking enemy shipping and supporting landings and evacuations. It had also survived several engagements where many Japanese ships had been sunk. With the sinking of her three sister ships, Atago, Maya and Chokai in late 1944, Takao, although damaged, remained a major threat in the theatre.

As the Allied armies advanced towards Singapore, the Takao needed to be dealt with. The Royal Navy launched Operation Struggle on 31 July 1945, to do just that.

“DESPITE HIS EXHAUSTION, HIS OXYGEN LEAK AND THE FACT THAT THERE WAS EVERY PROBABILITY OF HIS BEING SIGHTED, MAGENNIS AT ONCE VOLUNTEERED TO LEAVE THE CRAFT AND FREE THE CARRIER RATHER THAN ALLOW A LESS EXPERIENCED DIVER TO UNDERTAKE THE JOB”
London Gazette

The operation used midget submarines, HMS XE3 assigned to deal with the Takao and HMS XE1 the Myoko, another heavy cruiser in Singapore dockyard. The XE midget submarines had a crew of four: C/O, deputy, ERA (Engine Room Artificer) and a seaman, and at least