on 21 january 1943, while at ambon, "natori" was damaged by a near-miss starboard side by a bomb dropped by a consolidated aircraft b-24 liberator bomber of the 90th bomb group's 319th bomb squadron. the bomb opened plates and caused the no. 2 boiler room to flood. "natori" departed ambon that day for repairs at makassar, but repair proved impossible, so "natori" continued on to seletar naval base, singapore. repairs were not completed until 24 may 1943, but by then a decision was made to send "natori" back to japan for further repairs and modernization