|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| IJN Asashio-class destroyer 2,370 Tons (Standard) 364' x 33' 10" x 12' 2" 6 x 12cm Type 3 guns (3x2) 28 x 25mm AA guns 4 x 13mm MG 8 x 24" torpedo tubes 36 x depth charges  IJN November 22, 1939 |
Ship History Built by Sasebo Naval Arsenal at Sasebo. Laid down July 1, 1936 as Asashio-class destroyer. Launched May 26, 1937 as Natsugumo 夏雲 meaning "summer cloud" in Japanese. Commissioned February 10, 1938 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). During 1941, assigned to Destroyer Division 9 (Desdiv 9) with Asagumo, Yamagumo and Minegumo, Desron 4, Second Fleet under the command of Commander Shutaro Tsukamoto. On November 26, 1941 departs Terashima Strait bound for Mako arriving three days later. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 departs Mako escorting the invasion force bound for Vigan on Luzon in the Philippines at the start of the Pacific War and provides escort for the next four days. On December 22, 1941 escorts the invasion force bound for Lingayen Gulf. On January 12, 1942 joins the invasion force off Tarakan. On January 23, 1942 joins the invasion force bound for Balikpapan. On February 8, 1942 with the Japanese invasion force off Makassar. On February 25, 1942 joins the invasion force off Bawean Island. On February 27, 1942 joins the invasion force off eastern Java. On February 27, 1942 during the Battle of the Java Sea detached early in the engagement with Umikaze to escort the convoy to safety. On March 1, 1942 with Minegumo releases depth charges that damages USS Perch (SS-176). On March 31, 1942 joins the invasion force bound for Christmas Island then escorts damaged Naka to Singapore. On April 12, 1942 departs Singapore via Formosa bound for Yokosuka arriving eight days later for repairs. On June 4, 1942 during the Battle of Midway escorts the Occupation Force Main Body until the end of the engagement two days later withdraws westward to Japan. On June 27, 1942 patrols out of Ominato to the patrol southwest of the Aleutian Islands. On July 19, 1942 with Asagumo escorts Chokai from Kure to Truk arriving six days later. On July 29, 1942 departs Truk with Asagumo on a transport run to Kwajalein then to Yokosuka arriving ten days later. On August 11, 1942 departs Yokosuka escorting Japanese warships bound for Truk arriving six days later. On August 24, 1942 during the Battle of Eastern Solomons escorts Chitose. During early September 1942, operates from Truk escorts Japanese warships bound for the northern Solomon Islands. On September 26, 1942 departs Truk with Desdiv 9 bound for Shortland arriving two days later. On October 2, 1942 departs Shortland on a troop transport "Tokyo Express" run to Guadalcanal and returns. On October 8, 1942 departs Shortland escorting seaplane tender Nisshin on a troop transport "Tokyo Express" run to Guadalcanal and returns. On October 11, 1942 at 8:00am departs Shortland escorting seaplane tenders Nisshin and Chitose with destroyers Asagumo, Natsugumo, Yamagumo, Shirayuki and Akizuki via "The Slot" bound for Guadalcanal and overnight participates in the Battle of Cape Esperance (Second Battle of Savo Island). Sinking History On October 12, 1942 at sunrise, Murakumo damaged by U.S. planes and unable to maneuverable and burning. Natsugumo attempted to render assistance but was also targeted by U.S. dive bombers that score near misses that cause uncontrollable flooding and 39 minutes later capsized and sank 90 miles west-northwest of Savo Island at roughly Lat 8° 40' S Long 159° 20' E. During the attack and sinking, 16 crew were killed including Commander Shutaro Tsukamoto. Officially stricken from the Navy Register on November 15, 1942. Rescue The surviving 176 crew were rescued by Asagumo. References Combined Fleet - IJN Natsugumo: Tabular Record of Movement Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Japanese Naval and Merchant Shipping Losses pages 3 (Natsugumo), 112 (index Natsugumo) Officially, the U.S. Navy lists Natsugumo sunk October 11, 1942 [sic October 12, 1942] by "surface craft" [sic U.S. land based planes] Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map Oct 11, 1942 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
