|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| IJN Akatsuki-class destroyer 1,750 Tons (standard) 2,050 Tons (rebuilt) 6 x 127mm Type 3 guns 28 x 25mm AA guns 10 x 13mm MG 9 x torpedo tubes for Type 93 torpedoes 36 x depth charges  IJN May-August 1942 |
Ship History Built by Sasebo Naval Arsenal at Sasebo. Laid down February 17, 1930 as the lead ship of Akatsuki-class destroyer then designated Destroyer No. 55. Launched May 7, 1932 as Akatsuki 暁 meaning "dawn" in Japanese. Commissioned November 30, 1932 into the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) under the command of Lieutenant Commander Kyuji Aoki. Assigned to the First Fleet, Desron 1, Destroyer Division 6 (Desdiv 6) with Hibiki, Ikazuchi and Inazuma. During 1937, assigned to Destroyer Division 6 (Desdiv 10) and patrols off China. On January 15, 1939 LtCdr Nakamura Takahiko resumes command. During late March 1939 part of a ceremonial Japanese Navy escort by Hibiki, Sagiri, Akatsuki for USS Astoria (CA-34) with the ashes of the Japanese Ambassador to the United States Hiroshi Saito across the Pacific to Yokohama arriving April 17, 1939. During September 1941 assigned to Captain Moichi Narita assigned to DesDiv 6 with Hibiki, Ikazuchi, Inazuma), DesRon 1, 1st Fleet. Later in the year, assigned to Lieutenant Commander Kyuji Aoki. On November 25, 1941 departs Hashirajima and the same day arrives Saeki. On November 29, 1941 DesDiv 6 escorts a convoy enroute from Terashima Strait to Mako (Pescadores). Wartime History On December 4, 1941 departs Mako provides distant cover for the Southern Force Main Body invasion forces bound for Malaya and the Philippines. On December 5, 1941 transits Hainan Island. On December 11, 1941 arrives Camranh Bay and patrols in the vicinity. On December 20, 1941 departs Camranh Bay as a screen for the invasion force bound for Lingayen Gulf. On December 23, 1941 arrives Mako and patrols until the end of the year. On January 6, 1942 departs Mako attached to the invasion force bound for Menado and escorts Maya to Palau. On January 18, 1942 departs Palau to Davao arriving two days later. On January 26, 1942 arrives Tarakan then departs the next day escorting Rakuto Maru to Balikpapan arriving three days later. On January 29, 1942 at 12:05pm at Balikpapan bombed by four B-17s without damage. On February 1, 1942 departs Balikpapan escorting Kamogawa Maru for two days then separates arriving Davao the next day. On February 5, 1942 departs Davao escorting a convoy to Camranh Bay arriving four days later. On February 18, 1942 attached to the invasion force bound for eastern Java. On February 21, 1942 arrives Anambas Islands and escorts a convoy. On February 27, 1942 attached to the invasion force bound for western Java. On March 10, 1942 arrives Subic Bay and during March 19-26 escorted convoy to Kure and then returned to Yokosuka for maintenance. During May 22-26 escorts Takao and Maya from Kure to Ominato. On May 28, 1942 departed Ominato and cross the northern Pacific. On to June 7, 1942 participated in the invasion of Kiska. Between June 13, 1942 to June 27, 1942 escorted Hibiki from Kiska to Paramushiro then to Ominato. On July 4, 1942 departs Ominato and returned to Kiska and performed anti-submarine patrols for two weeks then departs via Shimushu to Yokosuka for maintenance. On August 6, 1942 departs for another patrol in the Kiska area then returns via Ominato to Kure arriving August 31, 1942. During September 1-6 1942 escorted Zuihō from Kure to Truk. From September 9-12, escorted Unyō from Truk to Kavieng and returned to Truk, then September 13-18 escorted Unyō to Kure. On September 29, 1942 escorted a troop convoy from Saeki via Okinawa to Saipan and Rabaul then to the Shortlands arriving October 12. On October 14, 1942 departs on a troop transport run to Guadalcanal and returns safely. On October 17, 1942 departs on a troop transport run to Guadalcanal and returns safely. On October 25, 1942 destroyers Akatsuki, Ikazuchi, and Shiratsuyu form the 1st Attack Unit to provide naval gunfire support during the day for the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) operation against Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. By 10:30am, the three destroyers with armor-piercing shells loaded for the shore bombardment open fire on USS Trever (DMS-16) and USS Zane (DMS-14) sustained a direct hit. At 10:40am they turn to engage USS Seminole (AT-65) and USS YP-284 sinking both off Lunga Point. During the engagement, Akatsuki sustained damaged to the no. 3 turret from shore batteries and suffered four dead then withdraws. On October 26, 1942 returns to Shortlands. On October 27, 1942 at night spotted by PBY-5 Catalina pilot Lt. Melvin K. Atwell from VP-91 a night patrol spotted a "a large warship " that he claimed to to be an Aoba-class cruiser, in fact Akatsuki and was bracketed by anti-aircraft fire then made a dive attack releasing his four 500 pound bombs at 600' and pulled up at only 20' and immediately departed. Two bombs were seen to explode aft of the forward smokestack and the explosion damaged the Catalina. On November 2, 1942 Akatsuki escorts transports bound for Guadalcanal. On November 3, 1942 departs Shortlands escorting Chitose and Chiyoda bound for Truk. On November 12, 1942 Akatsuki escorts Abe's bombardment force including Hiei and Kirishima for a planned night bombardment against Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Sinking History On November 13, 1942 at 1:25am at the start of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal the Japanese warships entered the western end of Savo Strait between Savo Island and Guadalcanal and encountered U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers. At the start of the engagement, Akatsuki was on the right flank of the Japanese force. At 1:48am Akatsuki and Hiei switched on their searchlights illuminating USS Atlanta (CL-51) and was immediately targeted by gunfire from U.S. Navy warships including destroyers USS Laffey, USS O'Bannon and cruisers USS Atlanta and USS San Francisco, USS Portland and USS Helena. The destroyer sustained repeated hits then blew up and quickly sank south of Savo Island in Iron Bottom Sound at roughly Lat 9° 17′S Long 159° 56′E. Officially removed from the Navy list on December 15, 1942. Akatsuki is often incorrectly credited with torpedoing USS Atlanta (CL-51). According to the chief torpedo officer Michihara Shinya who survived the sinking, Akatsuki did not fire any torpedoes during the engagement. The torpedo that hit the cruiser was likely fired by either Inazuma or Ikazuchi. Fates of the Crew Only eighteen of crew members survived and were rescued by American ships and interred as prisoners at Featherston POW Camp in New Zealand. References Combined Fleet - IJN Akatsuki: Tabular Record of Movement Beyond Death and Dishonour by Michiharu Shinya Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Japanese Naval and Merchant Shipping Losses During World War II by All Causes pages 3 (Akatsuki), 100 (index Akatsuki) Thanks to Kevin Denlay for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map November 13, 1942  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
