 In early November the catapults were removed from both ships , and they loaded troops and munitions later that month . While en route they were diverted to the Spratly Islands upon reports of heavy air raids at Manila . After off @-@ loading their cargo , they sailed for Lingga Island , near Singapore , on 20 November . They transferred to Cam Ranh Bay , French Indochina and Hyūga became flagship of the 5th Fleet there on 14 December . The division sailed for Singapore on 30 December and Vice Admiral Kiyohide Shima transferred his flag to the light cruiser Ōyodo on arrival there the following day . The division continued onwards to Lingga . Its planned return to Japan was delayed by attacks by the American Third Fleet on targets in Indochina and southern China that sank two oil tankers that were intended to refuel the division . 
 In early November the catapults <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> removed from both ships , and they<a href='been_done' title='2'><mark></mark></a> loaded troops and munitions later that month . While en route they <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> diverted to the Spratly Islands upon reports of heavy air raids at Manila . After off @-@ loading their cargo , they sailed for Lingga Island , near Singapore , on 20 November . They transferred to Cam Ranh Bay , French Indochina and Hyūga became flagship of the 5th Fleet there on 14 December . The division sailed for Singapore on 30 December and Vice Admiral Kiyohide Shima<a href='been_done' title='4'><mark></mark></a> transferred his flag to the light cruiser Ōyodo on arrival there the following day . The division continued onwards to Lingga . Its planned return to Japan was delayed by attacks by the American Third Fleet on targets in Indochina and southern China <a href='null_relcl' title='5'><mark>that</mark></a>sank two oil tankers <a href='null_relcl' title='6'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> intended to refuel the division . 
In early November the catapults was removed from both ships , and they done loaded troops and munitions later dat month . While en route they was diverted to the Spratly Islands upon reports of heavy air raids at Manila . After off @-@ loading their cargo , they sailed fir Lingga Island , near Singapore , on 20 November . They transferred to Cam Ranh Bay , French Indochina and Hyūga became flagship of the 5th Fleet thea on 14 December . da division sailed fa Singapore on 30 December and Vice Admiral Kiyohide Shima been transferred his flag to the light cruiser Ōyodo on arrival there the following day . Tdadivision continued onwards to Lingga . Its planned return to Japan was delayed by attacks by thdamerican Third Fleet on targets in Indochina and southern China sank 2 oil tankers was intended to refuel the division .