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  Harusame 春雨
IJN
Shiratsuyu-class destroyer

1,712 Tons
103.5m x 9.9m x 3.5m
5 × 127mm guns
2 × 13 mm AA guns
8 × 24" torpedo tubes
16 × Depth charges

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USN 1937

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USN January 24, 1943

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IJN November 30, 1943

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Justin Taylan, 2006
Ship History
Built by Maizuru Naval Arsenal at Maizuru. Laid down February 3, 1935 as a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer, the sixth of ten built. Launched September 21, 1935 as Harusame 春雨 meaning "Spring Rain" or "Spring Showers" in Japanese. Commissioned August 26, 1937 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) under the command of Lieutenant Commander Tomita Sutezo.

Assigned to Destroyer Division 2 (Desdiv 2) with Murasame, Yūdachi and Samidare, Desron 4, 2nd Fleet. This destroyer had "2" in white on the bow indicating assignment to Desdiv 2. The center funnel had a white stripe. During late 1937, Harusame escorted transports in the Yangtze River in China and was photographed and studied by the U.S. Navy (USN) Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI).

By late 1941, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Hisashi Ishii. Assigned to Destroyer Division 2 (DesDiv 2) with Murasame, Harusame and Samidare, Desron 4, 2nd Fleet. On November 26, 1941 departs with DesDiv 2 and Desron 4 from Terashima Strait to Mako (Pescadores).

Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War, part of the Philippines invasion force bound for Vigan on northern Luzon in the Philippines and supports the landings until December 11, 1941. On December 22, 1942 supported the landings at Lingayen Gulf.

On January 12, 1942 part of the invasion force off Tarakan. On January 23, 1942 became part of the Balikpapan invasion force.

On February 27, 1942 joined the eastern Java invasion force bound for Java. On February 27-28, 1942 participated in the Battle of the Java Sea and attacked the Allied cruiser-destroyer group.

On March 16, 1942 arrives Tarakan then proceeded to Subic Bay. Assisted in operations to secure the Philippines, including the blockade of Manila and occupation of Cebu. On April 25, 1942 placed under the command of Lieutenant Commander Kamiyama Masao. Departs the Philippines via Mako on May 3-6 to Yokosuka for repairs.

On June 4, 1942 at the start of the Battle of Midway escorts the Occupation Force Main Body under the command of Admiral Kondo until the end of the battle the returns to Japan. On July 16, 1942 departs Kure with Desron 3 via Singapore to Mergui (Burma) to the Indian Ocean and participated in raiding operations until the end of the month. On August 8, 1942 after the American landings at Guadalcanal departs Mergui via Balikpapan bound for Truk arriving August 21, 1942.

On August 24, 1942 participated in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons escorting Battleship Mutsu. During September 8-24, 1942 escorted Kunikawa Maru from Truk Lagoon an searched the Solomon Islands for potential seaplane base locations and on September 24-27 departed Truk to Shortland.

On October 2, 1942 served as a troop transport run from Shortland to Guadalcanal. Again on October 5 and October 8. On October 9-10 departed from Shortland to Rabaul to escort a troop convoy to Guadalcanal on October 12-16, then returned to Shortland. Made another supply run to Guadalcanal on October 17.

On October 24, 1942 departed Shortland on a mission to bombard Guadalcanal to support Lt. General Hyakutake offensive on Guadalcanal as part of No. 2 Attack Unit with Rear Admiral Tamotsu Takama's flagship Akizuki, Harusame, Murasame and Yudachi. On October 25, 1942 the warships were targeted by SBD Dauntless dive bombers that hit Yura. Afterwards, rescued survivors with Yudachi then scuttled her. Afterwards, the mission was canceled the force withdrew to the northwest back to Shortland.

On October 26, 1942 during the Battle of Santa Cruz part of the support force under the command of Admiral Kurita and the same day returned to Shortland. On November 1, 1942 Kamiyama was promoted to the rank of Commander. On November 2-5, 1942 made transport runs from Shortland to Guadalcanal.

On November 11, 1942 departs Shortland escorting Admiral Abe's Bombardment Force and during the night of November 12-13, 1942 participates in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (first phase) and fired on an American cruiser, likely USS Atlanta (CL-51) and claimed to cause heavy damage. Afterwards, escorts heavily damaged Battleship Kirishima.

Afterwards, joins the Support Force under the command of Admiral Kurita, then departs for Truk arriving November 18, 1942. Two days later, departs Truk bound for Rabaul arriving November 22, 1942. On November 23, 1942 leads a transport run to Lae and Salamaua, but aborts due to Allied air attacks. On November 30, 1942 departs Rabaul to assist damaged Shiratsuyu.

On December 5, 1942 departs Rabaul via Kavieng then arrives Truk three days later. On December 9, 1942 departs Truk bound for Yokosuka arriving six days later for repairs. On January 5, 1943 escorts Asamamaru from Yokosuka to Truk arriving five days later. On January 14, 1942 departs Truk to Wewak arriving two days later then from Wewak to Kavieng then returns to Wewak.

Damaged by USS Wahoo
On January 24, 1943 at 1:18pm spotted by USS Wahoo (SS-238) west of Kairiru Island that maneuvered for a torpedo attack. At 2:41pm from periscope depth, fired a spread of three torpedoes from 1,800 yards estimating the destroyer's speed at 15 knots and all missed. Shortly afterwards, fired a fourth torpedo from 1,900 yards estimating the destroyer's speed as 20 knots. from 1,900 yards that the destroyer turned to avoid then headed directly towards the submarine with many of the crew standing on deck to spot for the submarine or torpedoes.

At 2:49pm when the destroyer closed to within 800 yards (2,400' / 731.5m), USS Wahoo (SS-238) fired her fifth bow torpedo that hit amidship 25 seconds later and exploded. From the periscope, the submarine snapped at least three photographs of the damaged destroyer and determined that it was sinking then submerged to 150' and departed the area and heard gunfire and aerial bombs exploding and claimed to have "Heard her boilers go" and concluded the destroyer was sinking.

One photographs appears to show the bow damaged or below the surface and resulted in the U.S. Navy claim the bow was blown off. In fact, the destroyer's keel was damaged causing the bow to angle downward. At the time of the attack, the destroyer was misidentified as a Fubuki-class destroyer and later, U.S. Navy Photographic Intelligence Report # 82, 17 March 1943 incorrectly determined it to be an Asashio-class destroyer.

In fact, Harusame sustained heavy damaged from the torpedo that resulted in her keel nearly broken but was beached in shallow water off Kairiru Island to avoid sinking and for emergency repairs for the next several weeks. On February 17, 1943 towed by alternately by Anatsukaze and Urakaze assisted by salvage tug Ojima to Truk arriving six days later and docked for emergency repairs and the fitting of a false bow.

On May 21, 1943 departed Truk escorting a convoy northward to Yokosuka arriving nine days later then was again docked for additional repairs and a gun turret was removed and replaced by two triple 25mm anti-aircraft gun batteries. On July 1, 1943 while under repair designated a "reserve ship" and Commander Kamiyama was relieved, with command rotating among other officers while repairs continued. On November 5, 1943 assigned to Lieutenant Commander Tomita Toshihiko. On November 30, 1943 assigned to Desdiv 27, Desron 2, Second Fleet.

On January 4, 1944 departs Yokosuka escorting Irako to Truk arriving seven days later. Between January 19- February 15, 1944 escorted tanker convoys from Truk to Tarakan and Balikpapan then returned to Truk.

On February 17, 1944 during "Operation Hailstone" when U.S. Navy (USN) carrier aircraft attacked Truk, Harusame suffered minor damage due to near misses and strafing and aboard two of the crew were killed.

On February 17, 1944 departs Truk escorting escorted Shigure via Woleai (Mereyon) and joins with Akitsushima then proceeds to Palau arriving two days later and conducted patrol and escort duties around Palau. On March 28, 1944 departed Palau and arrived at Davao April 1, 1944.

On April 5, 1944 departed Davao escorting a convoy including Atago, Takao, Chokai, Myoko, Haguro and Noshiro and arrived at Lingga four days later. On May 11, 1944 departed Lingga escorting the fleet to Tawi Tawi arriving three days later. On May 30, 1944 departed Tawi Tawi arriving at Davao the next day.

On June 2, 1944 departed Davao escorting a troop convoy bound for Biak, but the mission was aborted when the force was spotted by U.S. aircraft and diverted to Sorong arriving June 4, 1944.

Sinking History
On June 8, 1944 departed Sorong as an escort for a troop transport and bombardment against Biak. Off the Cape of Good Hope near Manokwari, attacked by ten B-25 Mitchells from the 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (17th TRS) in an action that became known as the Battle of Cape Waios.

During the attack, intense anti-aircraft fire shot down three attacking bombers: B-25D piloted by Tennille (MIA), B-25D piloted by Wood (MIA) and B-25D pilot Lind (MIA). Harusame sustained two direct bomb hits 30 miles northwest of Cape of Good Hope near Manokwari and suffered 74 killed, 11 injured, including Captain Shirahama Masashichi then sank at approximately Lat 0° 05' S Long 132° 45' E. Officially, stricken from Navy records on August 10, 1944.

Rescue
Afterwards, Shigure rescued 110 survivors including Lieutenant Commander Tomita.

References
USS Wahoo (SS-238) - Report of Third War Patrol February 12, 1943 pages 1 (Prelude To Wewak), 2-3 (January 24, 1943), 9 (5. Enemy Ships Sighted: 1/24/43 1318K 1 Fubuk Cl. destroyer [sic Shiratsuyu-class destroyer Harusame]), 10 (7. Summary of Submarine Attacks: 1, 2, 3)
U.S. Navy Photographic Intelligence Report # 82, 17 March 1943 includes the periscope photo from Wahaoo January 24, 1943 attack on Harusame and incorrectly deemed it to be an Asashio-class destroyer [sic, Shiratsuyu-class destroyer].
Combined Fleet IJN Harusame: Tabular Record of Movement
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - U.S. Navy At War Final page 51 (Harusame)
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Japanese Naval and Merchant Shipping Losses pages 12, 104
(Page 12) "June 8, 1944 | Harusame | Destroyer | 1,580 | 00-05N, 132-45E | United States | Army Aircraft | Sunk"

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Last Updated
November 17, 2023

 

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