Trenchant, Stygian, and the Bangka Strait screen

Japanese heavy cruisers supported troop movements and forced any Allied surface force sent against them to bring sufficient fighting power. USS Blueback spotted Ashigara and Kamikaze leaving port but could not reach an attack position, so its contact report warned the other Allied submarines. For the action on 8 June 1945, Trenchant took a position south of a shoal inside Bangka Strait, with Stygian to the north. Both moved into position on the surface because this was considered the safer way to negotiate an existing Dutch submarine minefield. Kamikaze sighted Trenchant before dawn and opened fire, but avoided the torpedoes launched from Trenchant's stern tubes. Trenchant warned Stygian and remained on the surface as long as possible because of uncertainty about the mines. Kamikaze eventually turned south, encountered Stygian, and avoided another torpedo attack. Its subsequent depth charges caused only minor damage before contact was lost, leaving the escort occupied while Ashigara approached.