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| IJN Nagara-class Light Cruiser 5,088 Tons (standard) 5,832 Tons (full load) 534' 9" x 48' 5" x 16' 7 x 140mm guns 2 x 25mm AA 6 x 13mm MG 8 x torpedoe tubes 48 mines 1 floatplane  IJN c1942  IJN June 1942  22nd BG Oct 26, 1944 |
Ship History Built by at Uraga Dock Company at Uraga. Laid down December 8, 1921 as a Nagara-class light cruiser. Launched March 16, 1923 as Abukuma 阿武隈. Completed May 26, 1925 and delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). PARTIAL HISTORY Aleutians Operations On May 26, 1942 departs Ominato as part of "Operation AL" the capture of the Aleutian Islands. On June 7, 1942 lands Japanese troops on Attu Island, then patrols the area including reconnaissance of Shemya Island. On June 13-15, 1942 searches with Wakaba and Nenohi for possible airfield sites on Amchitka Island. On June 18, 1942 departs Attu Island and six days later arrives Mutsu Bay, Kawauchi. On June 28, 1942 departs Kawauchi with a reinforcement convoy bound for Kiska then patrols the area, departing July 7, 1942 to assist torpedoed destroyers Kasumi and Shiranuhi. Three days later, returns to Kiska on June 10, 1942 then departs the same day bound for Yokosuka arriving July 16, 1942 and undergoes a refit. On August 8, 1942 departs Ominato via Paramushiro on August 11 to conduct training, then returns to Ominato five days later. On August 29 departs with Nachi covering southwest of Kiska to cover the transfer of Japanese forces from Attu to Kiska, then departs for Ominato arriving September 18. Two days later, Captain Shibuya Shiro takes command of Abukuma and departs for Muroran then to Ominato on September 24. Six days later, departs with Nachi to intercept U.S. Navy vessels in the Aleutian Islands, but the report proves to be false and returns on October 2. On November 12, 1942 participates in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. PARTIAL HISTORY Battle of the Surigao Strait On October 25, 1944 Japanese warships enter Surigao Strait, the force is attacked by American PT-boats. A torpedo fired from PT-137 approaches to within 900 yards of a destroyer, and fires a torpedo, it runs deep and passes underneath the destroyer. This same torpedo continues on and hits Abukuma near the No. 1 boiler room, killing 30 crew. After emergency repairs, Abukuma, down by the bow, resumes course at slow speed. At 4:45am, Captain Hanada increased speed to 20 knots. At 5:35am, he reverses course and joins the other units of Shima's force retiring from Surigao. Sinking History On October 26, 1944 with Ushio underway in the Sulu Sea bound for Coron. In the morning, targeted by three waves of B-24 Liberators. At 10:06am bombed by B-24s from 5th Bomb Group (5th BG) that scored one direct hit near the no. 3 140mm gun mount. At 10:20am bombed by B-24s from 22nd Bomb Group (22nd BG), 33rd Bomb Squadron (33rd BS). One of the bombers, B-24 "Gypsy" bombardier 1st Lt. Cappola scored two direct hits aft that cause heavy fires. Power was lost, the steering gear breaks down and her speed falls off. The fire spreads to the aft engine and torpedo rooms. At 10:37, four Type 93 Long Lance torpedoes explode. At 11:00am the crew were ordered to abandon ship. Finally, at 11:42am sinks by stern off Negros at roughly 9 20N 122 32 E with 250 crew lost. Rescue Captain Hanada and 283 crewmen are rescued by Ushio. The sinking was one of the only instances when a heavy cruiser was sunk by heavy bombers during the war. References Combined Fleet IJN Abukuma: Tabular Record of Movement At Close Quarters (1962) pages 379-380, 384, 390, 496 Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 328–331 Contribute
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 Tabular Movement  9 20N 122 32 E |
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