Background
Mineichi Koga 古賀 峯 was born September 25, 1885 in Arita in Saga Prefecture. He attended the Imperial Japanese Navy Academy 34th class and graduated 14th in his class of 176 graduating during 1906. As a midshipman he served aboard Matsushima.
Commissioned as a Ensign, he was assigned to the Katori, Otowa and Suma. As a sub-lieutenant, he served aboard Soya and Aki. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1911 he served aboard Kashima the attended the e Naval War College. In 1917 promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was sent overseas to France until 1922. Next, he became the executive officer aboard Kitakami. On December 1, 1926 promotion to the rank of Captain and returned to France as a naval attaché in Paris until November 1, 1928.
In 1930 became the commander of the
Yokosuka then in command of Aoba on December 31, 1930. Next battleship Ise on December 31, 1931. Promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on December 31, 1932 and transfer to become Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff Intelligence Division during 1933. On December 31, 1936 promoted to Vice Chief of the Navy General Staff before the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
In 1939, Koga became commander of the 2nd Fleet. On September 1, 1941 commander of the China Area Fleet. As tensions with the west increased, he was hesitant about the prospect of war against the United States and was an advocate for battleships not air power.
Wartime History
During December 1941, Koga commanded the naval operations against Hong Kong until the end of the month.
On April 21, 1943 Koga was appointed as the Commander in Chief (C-in-C) Combined Fleet replacing Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto who died as a passenger aboard G4M1 Betty 2656 Tail 323 on April 18, 1943. His appointment was not made public until May 1943.
On April 25, 1943 flown by H8K2 Emily from Yokosuka to Truk and conducts an inspection tour of Battleship Musashi.
On February 10,
1944 aboard Battleship Musashi the last Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) battleship to leave Truk with Oyodo, Hatsuharu, Michishio, Shiratsuyu and Tamanami to Yokosuka.
In late March 1944, he was overseeing the withdrawal of the Combined Fleet headquarters from Palau.
Mission History
On March 30, 1944 took off as a passenger aboard H8K2 Emily on a flight bound for Davao on Mindanao. Flying into a typhoon, crashed into the sea on March 31, 1944 at 2:00am. During the crash, Koga was killed and his body recovered by survivors that attempted to swim ashore until found by Filipinos in canoes and towed ashore. Officially, Koga's death was not announced until May 1944 in Japan.
Memorials
Koga's ashes are buried at Tama Cemetery. His wife is buried alongside.
References
FindAGrave - Mineichi Koga (photo, grave photo) date of death listed as March 30, 1944 [sic March 31, 1944]
