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  Kisaragi 如月 (Destroyer No. 21)
IJN
Kamikaze-class destroyer

1,336 Tons (Normal Load)
1,800 Tons (Deep Load)
320' x 30' 1" x 9' 9"
4 x 12cm Type 3 guns
3 x Tripple 21" torpedo tubes
18 x depth charges
16 x mines

Click For Enlargement
IJN February 1927
Ship History
Built at Maizuru Naval Arsenal in Maizuru. Laid down June 3, 1924 as Kamikaze-class destroyer. Launched June 5, 1925 as Destroyer No. 21. Completed December 21, 1925 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) with Lieutenant Commander Yoichiro Ogawa in command and assigned to Destroyer Division 30 (Desdiv 30) with Mutsuki, Yayoi and Mochizuki, Desron 6, Fourth Fleet. On August 1, 1928 renamed Kisaragi 如月 meaning second month (February) in Japanese.

Wartime History
On November 29, 1941 based at Truk when assigned to "U" Operation against Wake and began preparations. On December 3, 1941 arrives with Desron 6 at Kwajalein.

On December 8, 1941 departs Kwajalein as part of "U" Operation the invasion of Wake with flagship Yubari, Oite and Hayate plus DesDiv 30 destroyers Mutsuki, Yayoi and Mochizuki, light cruisers Tatsuta and Tenryu plus Jingei and transports Kongo Maru and Kinryu Maru with Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) with Patrol Boat No. 32 and Patrol Boat No. 33.

Sinking History
On December 11, 1941 in the early morning destroyers Yayoi, Hayate, Mutsuki and Kisaragi conduct pre-landing bombardment of Wake Atoll. At 4:52am at roughly Lat 19° 16' N Long 166°  37' E two miles southwest of Wake Island Hayate came under fire from shore batteries and was hit by one or two 5" shells causing an explosion and sink. Afterwards, Yayoi, Mutsuki and Kisaragi attempt to bombard Peale Island and Wilkes Island but after Yayoi was hit, break off their attack and the Japanese invasion is suspended.

While withdrawing, attacked by U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) F4F-3 Wildcats from Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211). At 5:37am Kisaragi was hit by a bomb in the bridge. Minutes later at 5:42am caused an explosion amidships upended sharply and sank with all hands including Lieutenant Commander Yoichiro Ogawa were lost. The sinking was claimed to be the first destroyer sunk by a bomb dropped by a fighter aircraft.

The 100 pound bomb that hit the bridge was credited to F4F-3 Wildcat 211-F-11 pilot Captain Henry T. Elrod who claimed to hit the stern [sic bridge] and caused depth charges to explode [sic internal explosion]. Landing at Wake Island Airfield his Wildcat was damaged beyond repair and written off.

References
Combined Fleet IJN Yayoi: Tabular Record of Movement

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Last Updated
December 11, 2023

 

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