The British and Australian pilots managed to score direct hits on both transports, one of the cruisers and on several of the troop-laden barges.
The Australian destroyer, HMAS Vampire and British destroyer, HMS Thanet, arrived to assist in fighting against the Japanese naval power supporting the landing of the troops. Four modern Japanese destroyers and a light cruiser successfully took on the two old destroyers, sinking HMS Thanet. With their full force ashore, Japanese field commanders organised an immediate advance towards Mersing down the east coast road. On the main road to Johore, ten miles from Mersing, the Australian 2/18th Battalion lay in preparation for an ambush. At midnight on January 26 the Japanese drove into the trap and 300 troops died. The Japanese column retreated back to Mersing.
The sunken wreck of HMS Thanet can be found near Pulau Aceh, at a depth of approximately 20 meters.