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| IJN Hatsuharu-class destroyer 1,530 Tons 340' x 346' x 359' 2x2 x 127mm DP guns 2 x 40mm AA guns 3 x torpedo tubes 18 x depth charges |
Ship History Built by Maizuru Naval Arsenal at Maizuru. Laid down April 9, 1933 as a Hatsuharu-class destroyer. Launched May 6, 1934 as Yūgure 夕暮 meaning "twilight" in Japanese. Spelled Yugure in English references. Completed March 30, 1935 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) assigned to Desdiv 27, Desron 1, First Fleet. Wartime History During December 1941 Yugure patrolled off Japan escorting warships and conducting anti-submarine patrols. On December 18, 1941 departed Tokuyama to meet the Combined Fleet returning from the attack on Hawaii and escroted them to Hashirijima arriving December 23, 1941. On January 12, 1942 departed Hashirijima with Ariake to escort aircraft carriers Hiryu and Soryu to Palau arriving five days later. On January 21, 1942 departs Palau with Ariake, Ushio and Sazanami escort Hiryu and Soryu bound for Davao arriving four days later. On January 26, 1942 departs Davao and two days later is refueled at sea by Kokuyo Maru. On January 31, 1942 returns to Palau. On February 15, 1942 departs Palau with the Kido Butai. On February 19, 1942 escorted the carrier force with Ariake during air raids against Darwin. On February 21, 1942 arrives Staring Bay on Celebes. On February 24, 1942 departs Staring Bay with Ariake as part of the eastern Java support force to support Kido Buitai operating off Java. On March 1, 1942 opens fire with Chikuma and four other destroyers sinking MV Modjokerto. On March 6, 1942 refueled at sea and four days later returns to Staring Bay. PARTIAL HISTORY During the night of August 23, 1942 to August 24, 1942 Yugure and Ariake bombard Ocean Island. On August 26, 1942 Yugure lands troops on Ocean Island then departs to Jaluit then to the Shortlands. PARTIAL HISTORY On November 12, 1942 destroyers Shigure, Shiratsuyu, and Yūgure serve as a rear guard off the Russell Islands for the Japanese bombardment force under the command of Vice Admiral Hiroaki Abe. On November 13, 1942 after the first phase of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal supports Hiei during U.S. air attacks and rescues survivors. Afterwards, northward to Truk arriving November 18, 1942. PARTIAL HISTORY On February 25, 1943 assigned to the Second Fleet, Desdiv 31, Desron 2. PARTIAL HISTORY On July 18, 1943 at 9:50pm departs Rabaul as part of the "Night Battle Force" consisting of four cruisers and four destroyers in hopes of luring American forces into a Naval engagement, with the secondary goal of escorting the No. 6 transport operation. On July 19, 1943 at 5:30pm rendezvous with three destroyers as transports off Buin on a "Tokyo Express" transport run bound for Kolombangara Island. At 7:05pm attacked by enemy aircraft that are repulsed. At 9:00pm, as no enemy vessels are spotted, the destroyer transports proceed to unload at Vila on Kolombangara Island. Although flares are spotted over them, there is no enemy surface force detected and the "Night Battle Force" departs northward. Sinking History On July 20, 1943 at roughly 12:10am attacked by six TBF Avengers armed with 2,000 pound bombs that make a radar assisted night attack on the "Night Battle Force" northwest of Vella Lavella Island. Despite Japanese anti-aircraft fire, Yugure at the starboard flank of the formation is hit by a bomb midship and explodes and sinks immediately north-northwest of Kolombangara Island at roughly Lat 7-25 S, Long 156-45 E with the loss of most of her crew. Officially, removed from the Navy List on October 15, 1943. Fates of the Crew Attempts to rescue the crew are delayed by a second attack by more TBF Avengers and B-25 Mitchells. Afterwards, Kiyonami returns to the scene of the sinking and rescues approximately twenty of her crew before breaking off the search by 2:09am and returning to the force. Later at roughly 7:21am Kiyonami is herself attacked and sunk by other B-25s. At 9:55am, the Japanese Navy reports: "Personnel from our ships [Yugure and Kiyonami] are adrift in the vicinity of position bearing 265 degrees 24 miles from Base Ko 3. Proceed at once to carry out search over a wide area in this vicinity and rescue these men. (You may temporarily unload any cargo)." Also, Japanese Army garrisons nearby were requested to search for survivors using barges. References Combined Fleet - IJN Yugure: Tabular Record of Movement Japanese Destroyer Captain states that Kiyonami lost 240 and Yugure lost 228 Contribute
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