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| IJN Type A Kō-hyōteki kō-gata 46 Tons (surfaced) 47 Tons (submerged) 78.5' x 6' x 10.2' 2 x Type 97 torpedo 140kg scuttling charge  IJN c1942 |
Captain Lt Saburo Akieda (killed June 2, 1942) Navigator PO1C Masami Takemoto (killed June 2, 1942) Beached May 30, 1942 Wartime History This Type A Midget Submarine was loaded aboard Nisshin and transported to Penang. On April 27, 1942 loaded aboard I-20 part of the KO ("A") detachment as the second midget submarine embarked (the first was during "Operation Z" for the Hawaii Operation). On April 30, 1942 departs Penang with "A detachment" bound for the Indian Ocean and to launch a midget submarine attack. On May 29, 1942 Japanese submarines I-10, I-16 and I-20 are in position to attack Diego-Suarez Bay (Antsiranana Bay) on Madagascar. To perform a reconnaissance over the target area, I-10 launches her floatplane at 10:30pm spots HMS Ramillies, destroyers HMS Duncan, HMS Active, corvettes HMS Genista and HMS Thyme, troopship HMS Karanja, hospital ship HMS Atlantis, MV British Loyalty, merchant MV Llandaff Castle and an ammunition ship. Based on this report, Captain Ishizaki orders a midget submarine attack the next night. Mission History On May 30, 1942 launched by I-20, this midget submarine under the command of Lt Saburo Akieda with crew PO1C Masami Takemoto to attack Allied ships in Diego-Suarez Bay (Antsiranana Bay). At 8:25pm, their midget submarine fires her first torpedo at HMS Ramillies that hits and causes damage. Afterwards, depth charged but at 9:20pm managed to fire her second torpedo at MV British Loyalty and sinks her in shallow water. Afterwards, this midget submarine departs Diego-Suarez Bay (Antsiranana Bay) and manages to reach off shore island Nosy Antalikely. Aboard, Lt. Akieda attempts to scuttle the midget submarine but the charge fails to explode and both exit safely. On May 31, 1942 in an attempt to locate any surviving midget submarine crew members and assess damage, I-10 launched her E14Y1 Glen floatplane piloted by piloted by Lt(jg) Shunshi Araki on another reconnaissance over Diego-Suarez Bay (Antsiranana Bay) but fails to spot any of the midget submarines or their crews. Fates of the Crew Both crew reached shore aided by natives people who agree to transport them to the mainland. Together, the pair tried to reach the recovery area near Cape Amber (Cape d'Ambre) where I-20 waited for any wait for five days. On June 1, 1942 the crew enter Anijabe village and buy food. Although the villagers are friendly, one contacts the British authorities in hopes of getting a reward or bounty for the information. Alerted to the presence of the two Japanese, the British dispatch Marines to find or apprehend them. On June 2, 1942 in the morning, the Royal Marines Commando No. 5 find the Japanese who had walked 48 miles. Unwilling to surrender, a gunfight ensues with both Japanese and one Marine killed. On their bodies is found a watch, pack of cigarettes and a report addressed to the C.O. of I-20. Search On June 3, 1942 in hopes of recovery, I-20 surfaced at the recovery area near Cape Amber (Cape d'Ambre) and attempts to locate any surviving midget submarine or their crews by firing flares and sending radio transmissions without result then departs the area by 6:00pm. Memorials During 1972, a makeshift monument was erected at the place where Akieda and Takemoto were killed. On November 10, 1976 the Japanese Embassy of Madagascar erected a memorial with a plaque in Japanese and French that reads: "Here died two brave Japanese sailors on 3 June 1942". On July 3, 2001 the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) erected a monument for the four Midget Submarine crews with a plaque in French. The dedication ceremony was led by Rear Admiral Yasui Nobuharu. References This submarine is also referred to as HA-20b or No. 20b, as the second midget submarine launched by I-20. Combined Fleet - Midget Submarines at Diego Suarez, Madagascar 1942 Contribute
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