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| IJN I-121 Class Submarine 1,142 Tons (surfaced) 1,768 (submerged) 279' 6" x 24' 8" x 14' 6" 2 x 21" torpedo tubes 16 x torpedoes 1 x 14cm gun 42 x mines |
Sub History Built by Kawasaki at the Kawasaki Kobe Yard at Kobe. Laid down April 17, 1926 as I-121-class submarine known as Submarine Minelayer No. 52. Launched December 12, 1927 as I-24. Commissioned December 10, 1928 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) under the command of LtCdr Harada Kaku attached to Yokosuka Naval District. On June 1, 1938 renumbered I-124. Wartime History On December 1, 1941 departs Samah with I-123 bound for Palau. On December 6, 1941 departs Palau as part of Operation M the invasion of the Philippines. On December 7, 1941 I-124 lays 39 Type 88 Mark 1 sea mines off Manila Bay then proceeds to a patrol area southwest of Lubang Island and relays weather and to rescue any downed aviators. On December 10, 1941 at 4:30am west of Luzon torpedoes Hareldawins while enroute from Hong Kong to Singapore and rescued the master who becomes a Prisoner Of War (POW). Under the command of Lt. Commander Kisagami. Participated in the attack on the Philippines, laying mines in Manila Bay that sink the British freighter Hareldawins. Next, participates in the attack on Celebes then patrols off Darwin. Sinking History On January 21, 1942 while patrolling off Darwin during the early morning USS Alden (DD-211) made contact with the submarine and dropped six depth charges, without result. Also, a plane from USS Langley reported attacking a submarine. The Alden steams to the reported position, sees an oil slick and drops more depth charges then returns to port. That afternoon, while taking on fuel, the Alden is ordered to accompany USS Edsall DD-219 to the location of the earlier attack with HMAS Deloraine, HMAS Lithgow and HMAS Katoomba. The first to arrive was HMAS Deloraine commanded by LtCdr Desmond A. Menlove. LtCdr Kisagami sets up on this new threat and fires a torpedo with a shallow depth setting at the Deloraine. At 1335, the corvette's starboard lookout reports "torpedo approaching, Green 100". The Deloraine turns hard starboard at full speed and the torpedo passes ten feet astern. The corvette's ASDIC locates the I-124 about 2,500 yards ahead and creeping south. The Deloraine drops pattern after pattern of depth charges. Then the bridge lookout reports a conning tower breaking surface. Deloraine rolls a depth charge close alongside I-124 as the submarine submerges, but air bubbles and oil rise to the surface. The Alden and Edsall arrived, accompanied by a PBY Catalina and two American floatplanes, to find the Deloraine dropping depth charges. The Americans patrol near the submarine contact but are unable to locate the oil slick because of a heavy rainsquall. The LITHGOW and the KATOOMBA patrol another area. After the action, the DELORAINE claims two, and the KATOOMBA one, submarine sunk. Aboard the I-124, the overpressure created during the depth charge attacks deform the thin seals of the submarine's hatch gaskets and takes on water, sinking with the crew of 80 in the western entrance of the Clarence Strait at roughly 12° 05N 130° 06E. I-124 is the first Japanese warship sunk by the Royal Australian Navy. Three weeks later, on February 11, 1942 four Japanese mines, possibly laid by I-124, washed ashore near Darwin. Wreckage Afterwards, hard hat salvage divers from USS Holland (AS-3) dive the upright submarine at a depth of 140' with her conning tower largely disintegrated. Today, the wreck is declared a war grave and is also protected under the Australian Historic Shipwrecks Act. Vessels are prohibited from anchoring within 500 meters of the submarine. Memorials During February 2022 a memorial to I-124 was commemorated at Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin. A metal plaque is placed on a large stone written in Japanese and English. The memorial reads: "In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the sinking of the I-124. In memory of the eighty crew members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Rest in Peace February 2022" References Combined Fleet - IJN Submarine I-124: Tabular Record of Movement YouTube - Survey of the I-124 Submarine Contribute
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