|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| IJN Minelayer 1,970 Tons (Standard) 2,080 (Normal) 330' x 38' 10" x 10' 7" 3 x 14cm guns 2 x 8cm guns 500 x sea miles  IJN 1935 |
Ship History Built by Uraga Dock Company at Uraga. Laid down February 2, 1928 as a minelayer. Launched May 22, 1929 as Itsukushima 厳島 named for Itsukushima (Miyajima) in the Inland Sea. Commissioned December 26, 1929 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) under the command of Captain Koyama attached to the Yokosuka Naval District Reserve. On December 1, 1941 assigned Mine Division 17 (MineDiv 17) under the command of Rear Admiral Tetsuri Kobayashi with Yaeyama as part of the southern Philippine attack force. Wartime History On December 8, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War depart Palau escorted by Kuroshio and Oyashio bound for the Philippines. On December 10, 1941 at night until the early morning of December 11, 1941 lays 300 Type 93 sea mines in the San Bernardino Strait escorted by destroyer Kuroshio. On August 24, 1944 anchored in Lembeh Strait when spotted by B-25 strafers from 345th BG. Targeted by B-25 pilot Major Reinbold that released two bombs that were believed to hit on the stern. His wingman B-25 2nd Lt. John B. Boyd also skip bombed but missed. In fact, the minelayer was damaged by a near miss that caused the stern sections to flood and lost power. Afterwards, minelayer Wakataka was ordered to provide assistance. On September 2, 1944 remained anchored at the southwest entrance of Lembeh Strait when targeted by six B-25 strafers from 345th BG and returns anti-aircraft fire that damaged B-25D "The Wolf Pack" 41-30034 and B-25D "Avoca Avenger" 41-30161. Also hit was B-25D "Mexican Spitfire" 41-30592 that ditched into Lembeh Strait. Witnessing the intense anti-aircraft barrage the next flight four B-25s from 501st BS led by Lt. Hilding L. Jacobson decided not to attack and jettisoned their bombs into the sea and withdrew. On September 5, 1944 at 8:00am arrives at Bolaangoeki-Bay. On September 8, 1944 arrives at Paleleh on the north coast of Minahasa Peninsula. The next day arrives at Boesak. On September 10, 1944 at 6:30am departs Boesak and at 5:30pm arrives Tolitoli. On September 15, 1944 at 1:00pm departs Tolitoli under tow by Wakataka. On September 16, 1944 enters Pagalungian Bay at the southeast of Dondo Bay. On October 4, 1944 departs under tow by Wakataka bound for Surabaya on Java. At 3:50am, U.S. Navy (USN) codebreakers intercept a message from Itsukushima: “At 22(?51) engaged one enemy catalina aircraft --- --- obtained direct hit. Damage incurred: mines penetrated the upper deck. Deck ---- damaged; breaches of diameter about 5 meters; no---. Killed: 30 men ----. Seriously wounded: about 50 men.” At 4:00am, USN codebreakers intercept a message from Wakataka that says “At 2320/03, 1 PBY attacked and Itsukushima suffered one bomb hit. The damage is given in Itsukushima’s 040350. As a result of this I am towing Itsukushima. Will leave Pagalungian at 040530. Proceeding to Dangulan (00-30N, 120-00E).” On October 5, 1944 arrives Dangulan Bay and departs the next day for Palu Bay. On October 7, 1944 departs Palu Bay and the same day arrives at Mamudju Bay. On October 8, 1944 departs Mamudju Bay and the next day arrives Mandar Bay. On October 10, 1944 departs Mandar Bay and the next day arrives Makassar. On October 12, 1944 departs Makassar and the next day reaches Doangdoangan Island. On October 14, 1944 departs Doangdoangan Island towed by a tugboat as part of a convoy bound for Java. Sinking History On October 17, 1944 in the Java Sea east of Bawean Island the convoy was spotted by HrMs Zwaardvisch (P322) that fired a spread of five torpedoes with one hitting and sinking Itsukushima at roughly at 05° 23' S, 113° 48' E. Also hit was Wakataka in the bow, likely by a dud torpedo. Officially, Itsukushima was not removed from the Navy list until January 10, 1945. Fates of the Crew Captain Oishi and an unknown number of the crew survive the sinking and are rescued. Shipwreck On December 15, 2002 a group of divers off MV Empress including Kevin Denlay located the shipwreck of Itsukushima at a depth of 184'. Kevin Denlay adds: "The wreck lies in two sections, cleanly severed where Zwaardvisch's torpedo struck aft. The forward section rests 350 to 400 yds/meters from the stern. Disappointingly, the much larger forward section is upside down from the bow stem to the break where the three prop shafts begin to exit the hull. No upper-works or superstructure can be seen. The small stern section sits upright and is relatively intact. The deck is deteriorated with the doors on the two outer mine laying ‘wings’ closed and in place. The doors across the stern are missing. No 5.5-inch guns can be seen on the aft section, but one gun sits upright on the seabed about 49' / 15m from the break. ITSUKUSHIMA's outer port propeller is clearly visible under the stern, still on the shaft and connected to the hull by the ‘V’ support - but now embedded halfway into the seabed." References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Japanese Naval and Merchant Shipping Losses During World War II by All Causes page 15 (Itsukushima), 106 (Index Itsukushima) Combined Fleet: IJN Minelayer Itsukushima: Tabular Record of Movement Warpath Across The Pacific The Illustrated History of the 345th Bombardment Group During World War II (1996) pages 181, 183-184 (September 2, 1944), 442 (index Itsukushima) Thanks to Kevin Denlay for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 184' |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
