SENSUIKAN!

IJN Submarine HA-204:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2006-2019 Bob Hackett & Sander Kingsepp
Revision 2


5 April 1945:
Sasebo Navy Yard. Laid down as the Sen-Taka Sho (High-speed Small Type) class Submarine No. 4914.

1 May 1945:
Renumbered HA-204 and provisionally attached to Sasebo Naval District.

15 May 1945:
Lt Shigemoto Shunichi (70)(former navigating officer of I-47) is appointed the Chief Equipping Officer (CEO).

1 June 1945:
Launched as HA-204.

25 June 1945:
Completed and commissioned in the IJN. Attached to Sasebo Naval District. Assigned to SubDiv 33 for working-up. Lt Shigemoto Shunichi is the Commanding Officer.

6 August 1945: The First Atomic Bombing of Japan:
HA-204 is en route to Kure for a hull refit. After 0815, off Etajima Island, the surfaced submarine and its bridge crew are exposed to radiation from the nuclear explosion over Hiroshima. Lt Shigemoto receives severe burns.

2 September 1945:
HA-204 is surrendered to the Allies at Sasebo.

29 October 1945:
Grounded in Aburatsu Bay off Miyazaki coast.

30 November 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.

August to October 1948:
Scrapped at the Nishimura Tekkosho ironworks plant.


Authors' Notes:
Special thanks for help in preparing this TROM go to Dr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan and the fellow submarine enthusiast Steven Eckhardt of Australia.

– Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp.

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