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| IJN Kiraisen type submarine I-121-class submarine 1,142 Tons (surfaced) 1,768 Tons (suberged) 279' 6" x 24' 8" x 14' 6" 2 x 533mm torpedo tubes with 12 torpedoes 1 x 14cm gun 42 x mines |
Sub History Built by Kawasaki at Kobe. Laid down June 12, 1925 as a Kiraisen type submarine (Minelaying submarine) designated Submarine No. 50. Launched March 19, 1927 as I-23. Completed and commissioned April 28, 1928 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) in the Yokosuka Naval District. Assigned to SubDiv 9. On May 25, 1935 I-23 and I-24 were conducting deep diving trials when I-24 suffered ballast tank damage. Afterwards, both submarines were temporarily decommissioned and placed into reserve status to have the main ballast tanks reinforced. On December 26, 1935 recommissioned but all four submarines in her class were limited to a depth of 180' / 55m. On November 15, 1935 SubDiv 9 was reassigned as the Yokosuka Defense Squadron. During September 1937 both I-23 and I-24 moved to Tsingtao and operated off northern China as part of a blockade off the coast of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. On December 1, 1937 light cruiser Kuma arrives at Tsingtao as flagship of Submarine Squadron 3 including I-21 and I-22 of Submarine Division 13 and I-23 and I-24 of Submarine Division 9. On June 1, 1938 redesignated I-123 in the I-121-class submarine. The reason was the submarine's original designation was to be used for a new Type B1 submarine. On June 20, 1948 Submarine Division 9 was assigned to the Gunnery School in the Yokosuka Naval District and by December 1938 returned to Japan. Wartime History At the start of the Pacific War, I-123 laid 40 mines in the Balabac Strait between northern Borneo and southern Palawan Island the Philippines. A defect in her hull causes the sub retire to Camranh Bay for repairs. By December 18, the submarine wa repaired and proceeds to the Java Sea. PARTIAL HISTORY On May 29, 1942 arrives French Frigate Shoals and observes two seaplane tender in the lagoon and patrolling planes. After dark, surfaces and radios a report to Sixth Fleet at Kwajalein that results in Operation K-2 the planned reconnaissance of Pearl Harbor delayed one day. On May 31, 1942 observes more vessels in French Frigate Shoals lagoon and several seaplanes landing and reports them to Sixth Fleet. After this report, Operation K-2 is canceled and I-123 and I-121 are ordered to continue patrolling in the vicinity of the French Frigate Shoals. On June 4, 1942 I-123 and I-121 and I-22 begin patrolling off Hawaii. On June 25, 1942 arrives Kwajalein then departs for Yokosuka. PARTIAL HISTORY On August 7, 1942, departs Rabaul to shell Guadalcanal and reconnoiter Lunga Point Anchorage. On August 11, 1942 arrived off Savo. Sinking History On August 29, 1942 the submarine sent a distress signal that it was being followed by enemy aircraft. Later that morning, lookouts aboard USS Gamble (DM-15) bound for Guadalcanal spot a large enemy submarine and made several depth charge attacks against the submarine. Afterwards, the crew observed large oil slicks and found deck planking and large air bubble breaking the surface where I-123 is presumed to have sunk at roughly Lat 9° 21S Long 160° 43E approximately 60 miles east of Savo. References In reports, the later sinking of I-1 is mistakenly credited to USS Gamble DD-123. It would appear that somehow the submarines have been mixed up and what was meant in Gamble's report was that it sank I-123. Combined Fleet - IJN Submarine I-123: Tabular Record of Movement Contribute
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 9 21S 160 43E |
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