Tabular Record of Movement
© 2000-2020 Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp
Revision
16
8 December 1941: Operation "Z" – The attack on Pearl Harbor:
BatDiv 2
sorties from the Combined Fleet's anchorage at Hashirajima in Hiroshima Bay to
the Bonin Islands area with BatDiv 1's NAGATO, MUTSU and light carrier HOSHO,
escorted by DesDiv 21's WAKABA, NENOHI, HATSUHARU and HATSUSHIMO and DesDiv
27's ARIAKE, YUGURE, SHIRATSUYU, SHIGURE, MIKAZUKI and YUKAZE.
13 December 1941:
Returns to Hashirajima. BatDiv 2 maintains standby
alert and training in the Inland Sea.
7 February 1942:
Proceeding from American radio traffic analysis, the IJN
Owada Communications Unit predicts an impending US carrier sortie from Pearl
Harbor. Vice Admiral Takasu organizes a task force for an intercept in the
Bonins area, including battleships ISE, HYUGA, FUSO and YAMASHIRO, light
carriers HOSHO and ZUIHO, light cruisers OI and KITAKAMI and two destroyers.
Additional support is to be provided by carrier ZUIKAKU and six destroyers.
10 February 1942:
The pending sortie of Takasu Force is cancelled.
21-25 February 1942:
Dry-docked at Kure Navy Yard. Main gun barrels are
replaced.
5 March 1942:
A picket boat of the 26th Sentai, Fifth Fleet, reports
sighting 13 unidentified aircraft heading for Tokyo. The Navy General Staff
immediately puts BatDiv 2, involved in training in Inland Sea, on standby alert.
12 March 1942:
Following an erroneous decrypt of Allied radio traffic,
BatDiv 2, escorted by DesDiv 27 and other DD units, departs Hashirajima in an
attempt to intercept the US carriers in the area N of Wake.
15 March 1942:
After a fruitless search BatDiv 2 is recalled.
16 March 1942:
BatDiv 2 returns to Ise Bay.
20 March 1942:
BatDiv 2 departs Ise Bay for Hashirajima anchorage.
21 March 1942:
FUSO returns to Hashirajima anchorage to continue
joint gunnery and navigating exercises with BatDiv 1.
23 March 1942:
FUSO and YAMATO are temporarily dispatched to Ise-Kojima
anchorage in Hiroshima Bay.
18 April 1942: The First Bombing of Japan:
Vice Admiral (later Fleet
Admiral) William F. Halsey's Task Force 16.2's USS HORNET (CV-8), VINCENNES
(CA-44), NASHVILLE (CL-43), oiler CIMARRON (AO-22) and destroyers GWIN
(DD-433), MEREDITH (DD-434), GRAYSON (DD-435) and MONSSEN (DD-436) and TF
16.1's USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6), SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), NORTHAMPTON (CA-26),
oiler SABINE (AO-25) and destroyers BALCH (DD-363), BENHAM (DD-397), ELLET
(DD-398) and FANNING (DD-385) approach to within 668 nautical miles of
Japan.
Led by Lt Col (later General/Medal of Honor) James H. Doolittle, 16 Army B-25 "Mitchell" twin-engine bombers of the 17th Bomb Group take off from Captain (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's carrier HORNET and strike targets in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Kobe.
Departs Hashirajima with Vice Admiral Takasu's BatDiv 2 and ten destroyers in pursuit of Halsey's ships.
19 April 1942:
At 30-00N, 135-20E, one of BatDiv 2's E8N2 "Dave"
floatplanes sights a cargo ship and drops a message tube with an order to
stop. About 1000, the BatDiv 2 group, heading NE, encounters the 4,761-ton
Soviet cargo steamer ANGARSTROI (ex-GRANTLEY HALL). The patrol boat
PB-31 (ex-KIKU),
dispatched to search the Russian vessel, sends a boarding party to inspect
ANGARSTROI, found to be carrying 7,555 tons of sugar from San Francisco to
Vladivostok. The Japanese order the steamer to proceed to Kushimoto, Honshu,
for a further search. The BatDiv 2 group turns SE and departs in a further
unsuccessful pursuit of the Americans.
20 April 1942:
BatDiv 2 is recalled to Hashirajima.
22 April 1942:
BatDiv 2 returns to Hashirajima.
5 May 1942:
BatDiv 2 departs Hashirajima for gunnery practice in the Iyo
Nada. HYUGA's No. 5 turret gun blows up and her aft magazines are flooded.
FUSO escorts HYUGA to Kure, then returns to Hashirajima. The other
battleships proceed directly to Hashirajima.
9 May 1942:
Departs Hashirajima for Kure in company of ISE.
19 May 1942:
BatDiv 2 departs Hashirajima with the First and the Third
Fleets for maneuvers at sea.
23 May 1942:
Returns to Hashirajima.
29 May 1942: Operation "MI" - The Battle of Midway:
At 0600 BatDiv 2
sorties with the Main Body together with the light carrier HOSHO, battleships
YAMATO, NAGATO, MUTSU, ISE, HYUGA and the light cruiser SENDAI.
4 June 1942:
BatDiv 2, CruDiv 9, TOA and SAN CLEMENTE MARUs and their
escorts are detached from the Main Body to support the Northern Force.
6 June 1942:
After Operation "MI" is cancelled, BatDiv 2 is diverted
north to support operations in the Aleutians.
17 June 1942:
Returns to Yokosuka.
22 June 1942:
Departs Yokosuka for Hashirajima.
24 June 1942:
BatDiv 2 arrives at Hashirajima. Resumes standby
alert.
14 July 1942:
Hashirajima. Vice Admiral Shimizu Mitsumi assumes command
of the reorganized First Fleet.
August 1942:
To partially compensate for the loss of carrier strength at
Midway, the Navy Aircraft Department begins plans to convert the FUSO class
battleships to hybrid battleship/carriers. Work is scheduled to begin in June
1943, but the plan is cancelled.
4-9 September 1942:
Dry-docked for maintenance at Kure Navy Yard.
28 October 1942:
Participates in gunnery trials in Suo Nada Sea with
MUSASHI, NAGATO, ISE, HYUGA and YAMASHIRO.
15 November 1942-15 January 1943:
Hiroshima Bay. Embarks midshipmen of
Naval Academy 71st Class for training in the Inland Sea.
5 December 1942:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Komura Keizo (former CO of
CHIKUMA) is appointed the CO.
December 1942:
Western Inland Sea. FUSO participates in aircrew training
exercises with carrier ZUIKAKU and battleships MUSASHI and YAMASHIRO.
1 June 1943:
Hashirajima. Captain (promoted Rear Admiral 1 November)
Tsuruoka Nobumichi (43)(former CO of KITAKAMI) is appointed the CO.
7 June 1943:
Captain Tsuruoka pays a visit to battleship MUTSU to meet
her CO, Captain Miyoshi Teruhiko (43)(former CO of MYOKO), an Etajima classmate.
8 June 1943:
Hashirajima. At 1030 embarks cadets of No. 13 Class A
Flight Reserve (Yokaren) 12th/navigator team of the Tsuchiura Naval Air
Group.
9 June 1943:
In the morning, the first divers arrive and remain on the
site for several months. FUSO serves as the "headquarters" for MUTSU's salvage
efforts. For the next month, FUSO also hosts the "M-Commission" accident
investigation board headed by Admiral Shiozawa Koichi.
25 June 1943:
The fleet resumes normal activities. BatDiv 2 resumes
standby alert and training in the Inland Sea.
18-24 July 1943:
Dry-docked at Kure for an AA upgrade and radar
installation. A Type 21 air and surface search radar is installed. Twenty-one
25-mm AA guns in two twin and seventeen single mounts are added for a total
suite of thirty-seven. Probably at that time two Mitsubishi F1M2 Type 0
"Pete" floatplanes
are embarked.
15 August 1943:
MUTSU's survivors, accommodated aboard FUSO, are
transferred to NAGATO.
16 August 1943:
FUSO departs Kure with YAMATO, NAGATO and DesDiv 16's
AMATSUKAZE and HATSUKAZE. Stops that night at the Yashima anchorage near
Takamatsu on Shikoku to embark the personnel of the 41st Guard Unit, including
a number of MUTSU survivors.
17 August 1943:
FUSO departs Yashima via Yokosuka for Truk, carrying Army
troops and supplies in a task group with battleships YAMATO, NAGATO, cruisers
ATAGO, TAKAO, NOSHIRO, DesDiv 10's AKIGUMO, YUGUMO, DesDiv 16's AMATSUKAZE,
HATSUKAZE, DesDiv 24's SUZUKAZE, UMIKAZE and DesDiv 61's WAKATSUKI. Off Yokosuka
the escort carrier TAIYO
and DesDiv 7's USHIO join Vice Admiral Shimizu Mitsumi's force.
23 August 1943:
The task group arrives at Harushima (Moen) anchorage on
Truk. Conducts battle exercises thereafter.
3 September 1943:
Refuels from TSURUMI.
18 September 1943:
The fleet, led by Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo, sorties
from Truk to Brown Atoll, Eniwetok in response to raids on Tarawa, Makin and
Abemama by Rear Admiral Charles A. Pownall's TF 15 carriers USS LEXINGTON
(CV-16), PRINCETON (CVL-23) and BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24). FUSO remains at Truk as
a guardship with the fleet's flagship MUSASHI and BatDiv 3's KONGO and HARUNA.
25 September 1943:
The fleet returns to Truk.
5-6 November 1943:
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Alfred E.
Montgomery's TF 14 carriers USS ESSEX (CV-9), YORKTOWN (CV-10),
LEXINGTON (CV-16), INDEPENDENCE (CV-22), BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24) and COWPENS
(CVL-25) launch raids on Wake and the Marshall Islands.
17 October 1943:
The Japanese intercept radio traffic suggesting that
the Americans are planning another raid on Wake Island. Admiral Koga sorties
from Truk to intercept the enemy carriers with BatDiv 1's YAMATO, MUSASHI,
NAGATO, BatDiv 2's FUSO, BatDiv 3's KONGO, HARUNA, CarDiv 1's SHOKAKU,
ZUIKAKU, ZUIHO, CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA, CHOKAI, CruDiv 7's SUZUYA,
MOGAMI, CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA, TONE, light cruisers AGANO, NOSHIRO, OYODO and
destroyers.
19 October 1943:
Arrives at Brown Island. Resumes standby alert.
23 October 1943:
Sorties from Brown Island to an area west of Wake Island.
No contact is made with Task Force 14.
26 October 1943:
The fleet returns to Truk.
5 December 1943:
The USN Fleet Radio Unit, Melbourne, Australia (FRUMEL)
intercepts and decodes a message in JN-20 to the 902 Air Group dated 050600 that
reads "Owing to heavy rain am unable to return to base. Am waiting at Kinyo
Island for weather to improve. No. 1 aircraft FUSO and No. 2 aircaft MUSASHI."
(FRUMEL comment: Kinyo Island, or Friday Island, is in the Truk Group which
suggests these battleships are at Truk.)
27 January 1944:
Truk. FUSO receives 1,325-tons of fuel from oiler NICHIEI
MARU.
1 February 1944: Operation "T" - The Evacuation of Truk:
FUSO departs Truk
with NAGATO (flagship of Nagumo), CruDiv 7's KUMANO, SUZUYA, TONE, DesDiv 17's
ISOKAZE, URAKAZE and DesDiv 61's AKIZUKI. At 1000, USS PERMIT (SS-178) sights
the task group leaving Truk, but is unable to close to attack.
4 February 1944:
Arrives at Palau.
16 February 1944:
Departs Palau to avoid air raids with NAGATO (F),
CruDiv 7's KUMANO, SUZUYA and TONE, DesDiv 17's ISOKAZE and URAKAZE and DesDiv
61's AKIZUKI.
20 February 1944:
North of Singapore in the South China Sea. After
sunset, USS PUFFER (SS-268) sights the 10-ship task group, but the submarine is
unable to close to attack.
21 February 1944:
Arrives at Lingga Roads (near Singapore) to commence
exercises with Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo's (former CO of HARUNA) Mobile Fleet.
23 February 1944:
Lingga. Captain (promoted Rear Admiral 15 October; Vice
Admiral, posthumously) Ban Masami (42)(former CO of ASHIGARA) is appointed the CO.
25 February 1944:
BatDiv 2 is disbanded. FUSO and YAMASHIRO are reassigned
directly to Combined Fleet. By 1 March their floatplanes are landed.
14 March 1944:
Departs Lingga to rendezvous with NAGATO for gunnery
exercises; returns the following day.
8 April 1944:
Departs Lingga for Singapore.
13-25 April 1944:
Seletar. Dry-docked at No. 1 drydock (former King George
V Graving Dock) for maintenance. The crew is given liberty in Singapore.
27 April 1944:
Departs Singapore for Lingga.
1 May 1944:
At Lingga. Conducts damage control exercises.
5 May 1944:
Commences joint training with YAMATO and NAGATO.
11 May 1944:
Departs Lingga for the old USN anchorage at Tawi Tawi
(southernmost Philippines) in the Sulu Sea. She sails with BatDiv 1's YAMATO
and NAGATO, BatDiv 3's KONGO and HARUNA, CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA,
CHOKAI, BatDiv 7's TONE, CHIKUMA, KUMANO, SUZUYA and DesRon 2's NOSHIRO,
HARUSAME, SHIMAKAZE and KISHINAMI (and possibly HAMANAMI). The sortie is led by
Kurita in ATAGO. Floatplanes of 936th NAG from Singapore provide anti-submarine
cover.
14 May 1944:
Arrives at Tawi Tawi.
30 May 1944: Operation "Kon" - The Reinforcement of Biak:
At noon, FUSO
departs Tawi Tawi with No. 3 (Distant Cover) Unit with DesDiv 10's ASAGUMO and
KAZAGUMO simultaneously with CruDiv 5's MYOKO, HAGURO and six destroyers. The
ships are sighted leaving the anchorage by USS CABRILLA (SS-288) and BLUEFISH
(SS-222), but neither submarine is able to close to attack. The FUSO group
provides distant cover for the "Kon" troop transport force CruDiv 16's cruiser
AOBA, light cruiser KINU, minelayers TSUGARU, ITSUKUSHIMA, transport T.127,
several freighters, DesDiv 19's SHIKINAMI, URANAMI, DesDiv 27's SHIGURE and
subchasers CH-36 and CH-37.
31 May 1944:
At 0857, USS GURNARD (SS-254) and RAY (SS-271) sight FUSO but
neither submarine is able to attack. The FUSO group arrives safely at Davao,
Philippines.
1 June 1944:
Receives fresh provisions from supply ship KITAKAMI MARU.
2 June 1944:
At 2330, FUSO departs Davao towards Biak Island, New Guinea
with DesDiv 10's ASAGUMO and KAZAGUMO.
3 June 1944:
Around the noon, the "Kon" troop movement is detected by a
Seventh Fleet B-24 "Liberator" aircraft. USS RASHER (SS-269) also sights CruDiv
5, making 22 knots towards Karakelong Island, but the submarine is unable to
close to attack. At 2025, since surprise is lost, the CinC of the Combined
Fleet, Admiral Toyoda Soemu (former CO of HYUGA), cancels Operation
"Kon". FUSO and DesDiv 10 retire towards Davao. The CruDiv 5 group also reverses
course, but the transport group continues on to Sorong.
4 June 1944:
E of Halmahera. In the morning, the retiring FUSO group is
attacked by three to four B-24 bombers. One of the attackers is reported
damaged by flak from either FUSO or her accompanying cruisers.
5 June 1944:
The FUSO group arrives at Davao.
7 June 1944:
Bongao, Tawi Tawi. FUSO receives fresh provisions from the
supply ship KITAKAMI MARU.
13 June 1944:
Davao. FUSO transfers most of her fuel to the 1st Supply
Force's oilers HAYUSUI and NICHIEI, KOKUYO and SEIYO MARUs.
17 June 1944: Operation "A-GO" - The Battle of the Philippine Sea:
FUSO is
placed on alert for Operation "A-Go". Departs Davao and arrives at the old
American anchorage at Malalag Bay on the western side of Davao Gulf. She is
ordered to stand-by for a single-handed attack on US troopships heading for
Saipan.
20 June 1944:
The alert order is rescinded. Departs Malalag Bay for Davao.
June 1944: Operation "Y-GO":
Tokyo: The headquarters staff of the Combined
Fleet, appalled at the debacle of Operation "A-Go", submits an Operation "Y-Go"
plan to the CinC, Admiral Toyoda. It calls for BatDiv 2's FUSO and YAMASHIRO to
assault the American invasion forces off Saipan with their 14-in guns. Admiral
Toyoda rejects the proposal as a suicide mission doomed to failure.
1 July 1944:
Departs Davao with DesDiv 4's MICHISHIO, YAMAGUMO and NOWAKI
for refueling at Tarakan Island, Borneo.
3 July 1944:
East of Borneo. LtCdr Manning M. Kimmel (son of Admiral H.
E. Kimmel, former CINCPACFLT at Pearl Harbor) in USS ROBALO (SS-273) reports
FUSO with destroyers and air cover at 31-29N, 119-26E. Kimmel is unable gain an
attack position. FUSO arrives safely at Tarakan.
8 July 1944:
Departs Tarakan for Kure, escorted by DesDiv 4's MICHISHIO,
YAMAGUMO and NOWAKI.
14 July 1944:
Off Fukashima at the western entrance to the Bungo Strait.
FUSO and DesDiv 4 are about to enter Sukumo Bay for an overnight stop. At 0112
Cdr Frank C. Acker's new USS POMFRET (SS-391), makes a SJ radar contact at
23,000 yds. Acker commences a surfaced approach, identifying his target as a
battleship escorted by three destroyers.
Acker manages to position POMFRET 2,000 yds off FUSO's projected track. At 0307 FUSO switches on a large searchlight, forcing the submarine to dive. Acker and his crew await the crash of big shells, but none come. POMFRET comes to periscope depth and continues the chase. At 0333 Acker sets up and at long range of 5,500 yds fires six Mk.23 torpedoes in 31-52N, 133-03E. Three torpedo wakes are sighted from FUSO; all miss.
15 July 1944:
Departs Sukumo Bay, arrives at Kure.
1 August 1944:
Temporarily reassigned to Vice Admiral Shima Kiyohide's
Second Striking Unit with YAMASHIRO, ISE and HYUGA.
2-14 August 1944:
Dry-docked at Kure Navy Yard. Two sets of Type 13 air
search and two sets of Type 22 surface search/gunnery control radars are
installed. E27 radar detectors are fitted. Fifty-three 25-mm AA guns (8
triple, 6 twin, 17 single, five of the latter portable) and ten 13.2-mm single
machine guns are also installed.
14 August 1944:
Departs Kure.
22 August 1944:
Hashirajima. Fleet oiler NICHIEI MARU refuels FUSO,
battleship HYUGA and the old destroyer KUWA.
10 September 1944:
Hashirajima. Reassigned to Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo's
Second Fleet, BatDiv 2 with YAMASHIRO (F).
17 September 1944:
Vice Admiral Nishimura Shoji's BatDiv 2's FUSO and
YAMASHIRO depart Ujina (near Hiroshima), carrying 2,131 men of the IJA 25th
Independent Mixed Regiment consisting of three infantry battalions, one
regimental gun company, one anti-tank gun company and one engineer company.
Arrives at Kure later that day to await the arrival of DesDiv 17 from Lingga.
20 September 1944:
At 1042 (JST), ComBatDiv 2 Vice Admiral Nishimura
transmits BatDiv 2 Secret radio message No. 201700: "BatDiv 2 and DesDiv 17
joint action schedule: on 23 September departure from western Inland Sea,
estimated arrival at Brunei 29 September, estimated arrival at Shonan
(Singapore) 2 October, estimated arrival at Lingga 3 October." On that day,
two Mitsubishi F1M2 floatplanes are assigned to FUSO.
23 September 1944:
BatDiv 2 departs Kure, rendezvouses with DesDiv 17 off
Agenosho Bay, Yashiro Island, then departs for Lingga. Many of the troops are
billeted on the battleships' decks.
24 September 1944:
Nansei Shoto (Ryukyu Islands). At 0716, LtCdr Clyde B.
Stevens' USS PLAICE (SS-390) sights two FUSO-class battleships emerging from
the mist at 29-30N, 129-15E. They are advancing in a column screened by four
destroyers; one on each bow of the leader and one on each beam of the second
battleship. The screens are stationed about 3,000 yds off the track. The
targets are zigzagging, using straight legs. PLAICE also spots a Mitsubishi
F1M2 floatplane providing close air screen. Stevens begins his approach.
At At 0742, Stevens estimates the target's length as 600 ft and sets his torpedo spread with a 120 per cent coverage from aft forward. He has a 30-degree angle on the bow of a battleship. Stevens fires his six bow tubes at 29-27N, 129-46E. He then checks the positions of the destroyer screen, and swings his periscope back to the target. In low power, the battleship now fills three-fourths of his 'scope! Stevens takes PLAICE deep to avoid a collision. At 0745, PLAICE's crew hears five explosions, but in reality all torpedoes miss.
26 September 1944:
Luzon Strait, Philippines. Cdr Frank Acker's USS
POMFRET (SS-391), whose torpedoes missed FUSO in July, is on his second war
patrol. At 1240 (H), while submerged, Acker spots BatDiv 2 at 20-44N, 118-13E,
but is unable to attack due to the speed of the battleships. Not seeing any air
cover, Acker surfaces and goes to flank speed to close the battleships. At
1434, POMFRET's lookouts spot BatDiv 2 at a range of about 20 miles. The
battleships are making about 20 knots and zigzagging on a base course of 211
degrees. Acker continues tracking BatDiv 2, but at 1620 his OOD spots a
periscope at 330 degrees relative at 500 yds. POMFRET crash-dives, breaking
off the pursuit.
27 September 1944:
South China Sea, off Luzon, Philippines. At 0532, Cdr
(later Rear Admiral) Reuben T. Whitaker's USS FLASHER (SS-249) spots BatDiv 2
at about 15-40N, 117-18E. Whitaker attempts an "end around" at flank speed,
but the submarine is unable to close the range for an attack.
29 September 1944:
BatDiv 2 arrives at Labuan Island, Borneo, near Brunei,
disembarks IJA troops and departs. That same day, arrives at Brunei Bay,
Borneo. Remains overnight.
30 September 1944:
Departs Brunei for Singapore.
2 October 1944:
At 1400, arrives at Seletar Naval Base, Singapore. FUSO
refuels from oiler YUHO MARU.
4 October 1944:
At 1300, BatDiv 2 and DesDiv 17 arrive at Lingga.
5 October 1944:
Vice Admiral Nishimura and Captain Ban pay a visit to
Vice Admiral Ugaki Matome aboard YAMATO.
4-18 October 1944:
Lingga. FUSO is engaged in training with the fleet.
18-20 October 1944:
Steams with fleet from Lingga to Brunei Bay, Borneo.
Refuels.
21 October 1944:
Brunei Bay. Refuels ASAGUMO.
22 October 1944: Operation "SHO-1-GO"
(Victory 1) - The Battle of Leyte Gulf:
At 1530, sorties from
Brunei with Vice Admiral Nishimura's Force "C" (Third Section) comprising
BatDiv 2's YAMASHIRO (F), CruDiv 7's MOGAMI, DesDiv 4's MICHISHIO, DesDiv
10's YAMAGUMO, ASAGUMO and DesDiv 27's SHIGURE.
24 October 1944:
Sulu Sea (approximately 09-02N, 121-35E). Around 0945,
Force "C" is attacked by 28 aircraft from TG 38.4's USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6) and
FRANKLIN (CV-13). FUSO, astern of YAMASHIRO, is attacked by ENTERPRISE's
SB2C-3 "Helldivers" belonging to the 2nd division of VB-20, led by Lt Raymond
E. Moore, and VF-20 F6F-3 "Hellcat" fighters. A 500-lb bomb strikes FUSO's
fantail and starts a fire in the aviation gasoline tanks near the catapult
that destroys her two F1M2 floatplanes. The explosion causes minor damage to
the steering gear room, Admiral's quarters and the nearby storerooms. The
blaze sets off the floatplane depth charges and the ensuing explosion opens
a hole in the fantail above the waterline. Ten sailors are killed. By 1100,
FUSO's firefighting teams manage to extinguish the fire.
At 1235, Nishimura - now aware that Kurita will not make it to Leyte Gulf at the prescribed time - orders to reduce the speed of his force to 14 kts.
At 1830, in position 08-56N, 123-37E, Vice Admiral Nishimura detaches MOGAMI and the three destroyers of DesDiv 4 to conduct an offensive sweep of Sogod Bay, Leyte.
Surigao Strait. Captain Jesse G. Coward's picket DesRon 54 lays in wait to launch a "hammer and anvil" torpedo attack. DesRon 54's western section is Cdr Carter B. Jennings' USS McDERMUT (DD-677) and Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Charles K. Bergin's MONSSEN (DD-798). The eastern section is Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Barry K. Atkins' MELVIN (DD-680), Cdr Reid P. Fiala's REMEY (DD-688)(F) and Cdr (later Rear Admiral) William R. Cox's McGOWAN (DD-678). Cdr (later Captain) Selman S. Bowling's thirty-nine strong Attack Force is arrayed along Surigao Strait in sections of three boats each. At 2236, Section 1's Ensign Peter R. Gadd's PT-131, stationed S of Agio Point, Bohol Island, picks up two radar contacts to the NE. PT-130, PT-131 and PT-152 head toward the contacts at 24 kts. At 2250, lookouts aboard LtCdr Nishino Shigeru's destroyer SHIGURE spot the oncoming PT-boats and the destroyer illuminates them with starshells, opening fire. By 2254, Captain Coward's DesRon 54's western section makes radar contact with Nishimura's Force. At 2258, YAMASHIRO's 6-in secondary guns open fire on the attacking PT-boats, well-illuminated by SHIGURE. Lt Joseph A. Eddins' PT-152 is hit and set afire. A 6-in shell from YAMASHIRO damages Lt(jg) Ian D. Malcom's PT-130, but does not explode.25 October 1944: The
Battle of the Surigao Strait:
After 0100 MOGAMI and her escorts
rejoin Nishimura's force off the southern tip of Limasawa Island. After 0105,
5 miles SE from that location, FUSO mistakenly targets MOGAMI with her
secondary battery. As a result of the "friendly fire" the cruiser receives a
6-in dud hit, killing 3 sailors in her aft sick bay.
At about 0309, two of MELVIN's torpedoes hit FUSO's starboard side. One hits abreast the No. 1 turret and the other a boiler room, flooding it and causing a fire. FUSO immediately slows down and develops a list to starboard, falling out of the line. Belowdecks the lights go out, but emergency lighting is switched on. All communications fail. A fire breaks out starboard aft. The battleship attempts to resume the northward advance, trailing Force "C" at 12 kts.
At 0320 FUSO turns to west and three minutes later commences a slow turn to starboard to retire southward at 10 kts. She is down by the bow with her forecastle awash. The starboard list is reduced by counterflooding, but as a result of progressive flooding both forward turret crews have to be evacuated. Soon thereafter Rear Admiral Ban orders to abandon ship.
Surigao Strait, near Kanihaan Island. Around 0340-0350, FUSO lists to starboard and then sinks by the bow, with her propellers still turning in the approximate area 10-24N, 125-21E. Two low-order explosions follow. Fuel oil from the sinking battleship rises to the surface, then catches fire. The flames engulf many of the survivors in the water.Only about ten of FUSO's 1,630 crewmen survive the night. Rear Admiral Ban is promoted Vice Admiral, posthumously. [4]
31 August 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
25 November 2017:
Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen and his team of
researchers aboard RV PETREL locate FUSO 650 ft (200 meters) below the surface
of the Surigao Strait. She lies upside down. (Pictures © Navigea Ltd./R/V
Petrel).
 |
 | |
| All four propellers and both rudders are intact and visible. This propeller is exactly 12 feet in diameter. | This is one arm of the "pagoda" foretop rangefinder used for the main battery. | |
- Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp.
