SENSUIKAN!
HIJMS Submarine I-36: Tabular Record of
Movement
© 2001 Bob Hackett & Sander Kingsepp
30 September 1942:
Completed by the Yokosuka Navy Yard, commissioned in the
IJN and based in the Kure Naval District. Cdr Inaba Michimune (former CO of
I-121, I-6) is assigned as the Commanding Officer.
15 December 1942:
Assigned to SubDiv 15, SubRon 1, Sixth Fleet.
18 December 1942:
Departs Kure.
31 December 1942:
Arrives at Shortland.
1 January 1943:
Departs Shortland for a supply run to Guadalcanal.
3 January 1943:
Arrives at Kamimbo Bay, Guadalcanal, surfacing half an
hour after the sunset. 20 tons of cargo are transferred to four Daihatsu barges.
After embarking 23 sick and wounded soldiers, the I-36 departs Kamimbo.
8 January 1943:
Arrives at Kamimbo for her second supply run to
Guadalcanal, delivering 12 tons of cargo.
17 January 1943:
Arrives at Mambare River estuary, Buna. Evacuates 47
soldiers.
24 January 1943:
Arrives at Mambare estuary for her second supply run
to Buna. Delivers 13 supply drums, evacuates 39 soldiers.
30 January 1943:
Arrives at Lae. Delivers 23 tons of supplies,
evacuates 59 soldiers.
5 February 1943:
Arrives at Mambare estuary for her third supply run
to Buna. Delivers 18 tons of supplies, evacuates 40 soldiers.
16 February 1943:
Arrives at Lae (second supply run). Delivers 45 tons
of supplies, evacuates 90 soldiers.
22 February 1943:
Arrives at Lae (third supply run), transfers 40 tons
of cargo and ten soldiers of the 82nd Guard Unit to Daihatsu barges. Evacuates
72 soldiers.
7 March 1943:
Returns to Yokosuka.
6 April 1943:
Departs Yokosuka to patrol in the Aleutians area.
11 May 1943: American Operation "Sandcrab"- The Invasion of Attu,
Aleutians:
Rear Admiral (later Admiral) Thomas C. Kinkaid's Task Force 16,
covered by Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell's Task Force 51, lands the Army's
7th Division that captures Attu Island.
21 May 1943: Operation "KE-Go" -The Evacuation of Kiska:
The Imperial
General Headquarters decides to evacuate the garrison at Kiska Island,
Aleutians.
29 to 30 May 1943:
The I-36 participates in Unkato container towing
tests in Inland Sea.
3 to 5 June 1943:
Continues towing tests in Iyo Nada.
15 June 1943:
Departs Paramushiro for a supply run to Kiska, towing
an Unkato container (estimated time of arrival is 19 June). The container is
soon lost in rough sea.
17 June 1943:
A radar-equipped American destroyer's attacks on IJN
submarines in the Aleutians area and the grounding of the I-175 cause ComSubRon
1 to order the I-36, -7, -34 and the I-169 to suspend their supply missions and
await further orders. The I-36 is forced to dive several times, interrupting her
battery charging schedule.
21 June 1943:
ComSubRon 1 orders the supply operation to be
suspended. The I-36 turns back.
2 July 1943:
Patrols E and N of Kiska. Diverted south thereafter.
28 July 1943:
The evacuation of Kiska is completed.
10 August 1943:
Returns to Yokosuka for overhaul. The I-36 is fitted
with an E27 Type 3 radar detector.
31 August 1943:
Cdr Inaba receives a verbal order to reconnoiter Pearl
Harbor from HQ, SubRon 1. The I-36 commences Yokosuka E14Y1 "Glen" floatplane
launch and recovery tests in Inland Sea.
8 September 1943:
Departs Yokosuka to patrol off Hawaii.
19 September 1943:
The I-36 arrives W of Hawaii. Her radar detector
registers the work of numerous American ship-based radars.
21 September 1943:
The I-36 is transferred E of Hawaii to avoid
detection, but numerous contacts are still made.
16 October 1943:
After sunset, the I-36 surfaces 120 nms S of Pearl
Harbor. Her E14Y1 floatplane is assembled in ten minutes and launched from the
catapult.
One hour and twenty minutes later Cdr Inaba receives the signal from the
returning floatplane. The partially submerged I-36 heads for the rendezvous
point while maintaining contact with the pilot on a long-wave channel. The
fliers report sighting four carriers, four battleships, five cruisers and 17
destroyers at anchor.
By 2330, the pilot of the Glen reports that his plane is low on fuel and
that he has lost the bearing to the submarine. The I-36 surfaces and heads
towards the location of the aircraft at full speed, with navigation lights
switched on. Contact with the Glen is lost.
19 October 1943:
300 nms S of Hawaii. En route to Kwajalein, Cdr Inaba
sights a convoy of six fleet oilers heading SW at 10 knots. He starts an
approach but is forced under by the escorting destroyers.
20 October 1943:
The I-36 reports the convoy sighting to the HQ,
Sixth Fleet. The I-19, -35, -169 and the I-175 are ordered to intercept. Cdr
Inaba receives an order to shell the airfield on Canton Island.
1 November 1943:
The I-36 shells Canton Island, firing a total of 13
shells.
12 November 1943:
The I-36 returns to Truk via Kwajalein to replace
the I-38. Cdr Inaba is piped aboard the MUSASHI. The two lost Glen pilots are
cited in All Naval Units Proclamation, posthumously.
21 December 1943:
Departs Truk for a supply mission to Sarmi, New
Guinea.
31 December 1943:
Arrives at Sarmi.
January 1944:
Returns to Rabaul.
6 January 1944:
The I-36 is replaced by the I-171 and departs Rabaul.
16 January 1944:
Arrives at Sasebo for overhaul.
27 January 1944:
Off Nasake Jima in Inland Sea, the I-36, -38, -41,
-44 and the tender TSUKUSHI MARU commence the training for Operation Tan.
31 January 1944: American Operation "Flintlock" - The Invasion of the
Marshalls:
Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's Task Force 58
lands the 4th Marine Division and the Army's 7th Infantry Division that capture
the Kwajalein, Roi-Namur and Majuro atolls.
15 February 1944:
Cdr Inaba is relieved by LtCdr Teramoto Iwao
(former CO of I-156).
18-21 February 1944: American Operation "Catchpole" - The Invasion of
Eniwetok:
The V Amphibious Corps Reserve (22nd Marine Regiment (reinforced)
and the Army's 106th Infantry Regiment (reinforced) capture Engebi Island,
Eniwetok and Parry atolls.
26 March 1944:
Departs Kure carrying an E14Y1 Glen floatplane to
harass the American supply lines E of the Marshall Islands and to reconnoiter
the Majuro anchorage. Although the I-16, -32, -38 and the I-45 are assigned the
same task, only the I-36 and the I-16 participate.
16 April 1944:
In the afternoon, the I-36 detects screw noises. LtCdr
Teramoto sights an enemy carrier turning into the wind to recover her aircraft.
During her apporoach the I-36 is spotted by a destroyer. About 1400, from 2,190
yards, Teramoto fires six torpedoes at the carrier before diving to 100 feet.
Two minutes and 10 seconds later two explosions are heard. Six hours later the
I-36 surfaces but no enemy vessels are in sight.
22 April 1944 - "Operation Persecution":
Rear Admiral (later Vice
Admiral) Daniel E. Barbey's Task Force 77 lands the 41st Infantry Division of
the I Army Corps at Humboldt Bay, Hollandia, New Guinea. Rear Admiral Ralph E.
Davison TF 78 escort carrier provides close air support while British Rear
Admiral (later Admiral Sir) Victor A. C. Crutchley's TF 74 and Rear Admiral
(later Vice Admiral) Russell S. Berkey's TF 75 provide gunfire support. Vice
Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's fast carrier Task Force 58 also
provides support.
Majuro. At 1455 (JST), the I-36 launches her Glen floatplane that flies
over the anchorage at 3,900 feet. The observer reports sighting 11 carriers and
three battleships. Upon return, the pilot of the E14Y1 fails to locate the
submarine. Contact is re-established only by dawn the next morning. The aircraft
is scuttled, rather than recovered, to escape detection.
23 April 1944:
LtCdr Teramoto reports the results of the mission. In
response to the landings at Hollandia, HQ, Sixth Fleet orders another flight to
check the presence of enemy carriers at Majuro (conducted on 12 June by a
floatplane from the I-10).
30 April 1944:
At 2025 (JST), the surfaced I-36 is attacked by a
patrol plane, but manages to crash-dive to 260 feet. Other aircraft arrive and
drop a total of 36 depth-charges, but the damage inflicted on the I-36 is minor.
9 May 1944:
Returns to Kure. The CINC, Sixth Fleet issues an All
Naval Units Proclamation to Teramoto for the sinking of an enemy carrier.
May 1944:Operation "Tatsumaki" (Tornado) - Amphibious Tank Attack at
Majuro, Marshall Islands:
Inland Sea. The I-36 participates in training with the I-38,
-41, -44 and the I-53. The operation calls for the submarines to carry
amphibious tanks armed with torpedoes from Kure to Majuro. There they are
to be put ashore, make their way overland, enter the water again and make a
torpedo attack on American ships. Later, the plan is cancelled.
23 May 1944:
The I-36 carries out diving tests in the Aki Nada with
two Type 4 amphibious tracked "Ka-Tsu" vehicles embarked.
19 June 1944:
Departs Kure on a supply mission to Truk.
10 July 1944:
Vice Admiral Miwa Shigeyoshi (former CO of KINU) at Kure
assumes command of the Sixth Fleet.
1 September 1944:
Reassigned as a "kaiten" (Turning of the Heavens)
human-torpedo carrier. By October the gun from the afterdeck is removed to
accommodate four kaitens. The I-36 participates in the kaiten crews' training.
13 October 1944: Operation "Sho-1-Go" - The Defense of the
Philippines:
Admiral Toyoda Soemu (former CO of HYUGA), CINC, Combined Fleet,
orders the Sho-1-Go plan activated.
7 November 1944:
Otsujima Kaiten Base, Tokuyama Bay. Vice Admiral Miwa
advises crewmen of the plans for a kaiten attack on the American Third Fleet's
anchorage at Ulithi Atoll.
8 November 1944: The First Kaiten Mission:
The I-36, -37 and the I-47,
each with four kaiten and eight conventional torpedoes embarked, form the
"Kikusui" (Floating Chrysanthemum) Group. They depart Otsujima at 0900 under the
command of ComSubDiv 15, Captain Ageta Kiyoi aboard the I-36. The I-36 and I-47
are ordered to attack Ulithi. The I-37 has to attack enemy shipping at Palau.
After negotiating Bungo Suido, the leading I-36 sends the signal to the
other submarines to proceed independently.
16 November 1944:
A Nakajima C6N1 Saiun ("Myrt") long range
high-attitude reconnaissance aircraft from Truk reports that four fleet
carriers, three battleships, cruisers and destroyers are in the north central
part of the Ulithi lagoon while south central part of the anchorage is occupied
by transports, oilers and other vessels. This intelligence is relayed to the
Kikusui Group's submarines.
Just before dawn, Lt (j.g.) Richard L. Simms' PBM Martin "Mariner"
seaplane of VPB-21 was finishing her night patrol and returning to Ulithi when
her radar operator picks up the I-36 running on the surface. As the Mariner
approaches, LtCdr Teramoto crash dives. Simms' crew drop sonobouys in her wake,
but the I-36 escapes.
19 November 1944:
The I-36 and I-47 of the Kikusui Group reach their
launching area off Ulithi Atoll.
20 November 1944:
LtCdr Teramoto's I-36 is submerged preparing to
launch his kaiten into the Mugai Channel, the eastern opening to the Ulithi
anchorage. When I-36 surfaces, Ensign Imanishi Taichi and three other pilots
board their kaiten. They engines start the first two Kaiten, but the weapons are
immovably wedged in their chocks. The third kaiten fails to start because of a
leak in engine compartment. Only Ensign Imanishi's No. 3 gets away at 0454. The
I-36 dives and listens for explosions.
Imanishi penetrates the safety nets across the mouth of the harbor
undetected. At 0545, his kaiten hits the starboard side of the 11,316-ton oiler
USS MISSISSINEWA (AO-59) in the center of Mugai Channel. The MISSISSINEWA,
loaded with 440,000 gallons of aviation fuel, erupts into flames.
The I-36 is chased by enemy destroyers; some hundred depth-charges are
dropped on her. The damage is minor.
23 November 1944:
The I-36 reports the results of her attack to the
Sixth Fleet. That same day a C6N1 "Myrt" from Truk flies over the anchorage to
assess the damage. Although a large oil slick is observed, the number of
anchored vessels has not changed essentially.
24 November 1944:
The I-36 and the I-47 receive a signal that cancels
their orders to proceed to Leyte. Instead, they are ordered to return to Kure.
30 November 1944:
The I-36 and I-47 return to Kure via Otsujima where
the defective kaitens are disembarked.
2 December 1944:
A special conference of more than 200 staff officers
and specialists is held aboard the Sixth Fleet's flagship, the TSUKUSHI MARU to
evaluate the Kikusui mission to Ulithi. The staff considers reports and
post-attack photo reconnaissance and concludes erroneously that three aircraft
carriers and two battleships were sunk in the attack. Ens Imanishi is credited
with the sinking of an aircraft carrier.
29 December 1944: The Second Kaiten Mission:
The I-36, -47, -48, -53,
-56 and the I-58 from the "Kongo"(Steel) Group. The plan is to attack the
Americans at five different points.
30 December 1944:
The I-36 departs Kure with the I-53 and the I-58.
9 January 1945:
Approaching Ulithi the I-36 runs aground on a reef,
but manages to free herself, blowing her main tanks.
12 January 1945:
Ulithi Lagoon. Between 0342 and 0357, LtCdr Teramoto
launches his four kaitens, piloted by Lt Kagaya Takeru, Lt (j.g.) Todokoro
Shizuyo, Ensign Motoi Bunya and CPO Fukumoto Yurimitsu. A PBM of VPB-21 (again
flown by Lt Simms) spots a midget submarine in the lagoon. Simms drops four
depth charges and sinks a kaiten launched by the I-36.
Postwar analysis indicates that one kaiten damaged the ammunition ship
USS MAZAMA (AE-9) and another sank the LCI-600 (Landing Craft Infantry).
21 January 1945:
Returns to Kure. The kaiten pilots from the I-36 are
credited with the sinking of four enemy vessels.
5 February 1945:
LtCdr Teramoto is relieved by LtCdr Sugamasa Tetsuaki
(former CO of RO-49).
19 February-26 March 1945: American Operation "Detachment" - The Invasion
of Iwo Jima:
Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Raymond A. Spruance's Fifth Fleet
of over 450 ships, lands the 54th Amphibious Corps (3rd, 4th, 5th Marine
Divisions) who capture the island and its vital Motoyama airfield from LtGen
Kuribayashi Tadamichi's defenders.
28 February 1945: The Fourth Kaiten Mission:
The I-36 and the I-58 are
assigned to form the "Shimbu" ("Divine Warriors") unit to attack American
shipping anchored off Iwo Jima. The I-36's aircraft hangar and catapult are
removed to accommodate two more kaitens on the foredeck. A Type 13 air-search
radar is fitted in front of the conning tower.
2 March 1945:
Departs Hikari with four kaitens embarked, following the
I-58.
6 March 1945:
The Combined Fleet directs the Sixth Fleet to cease
operations in the Iwo Jima area. The I-36 is recalled.
10 March 1945:
The I-36 returns to Kure.
1 April 1945: American Operation "Iceberg" - The Invasion of
Okinawa:
Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Raymond A. Spruance's Fifth Fleet,
including more than 40 aircraft carriers, 18 battleships, 200 destroyers and
over 1,000 support ships surround Okinawa. LtGen Simon B. Buckner Jr's Tenth
Army (7th, 77 th, 96th Infantry, 1st, 6th Marine Divisions) makes amphibious
landings and takes the island from LtGen Ushijima Mitsuru's 32nd Army.
22 April 1945:
Departs Hikari in the "Tembu" ("Heavenly Warriors")
group to operate between the Marianas and Okinawa with six kaitens embarked.
25 April 1945:
Off Iheya Jima. At night, LtCdr Sugamasa observes a
Martin PBM-3 "Mariner" on an ASW patrol.
27 April 1945:
E of Okinawa. Early in the morning, the I-36 sights an
American convoy of 28 ships. LtCdr Sugamasa launches four Kaitens piloted by
Lt(j.g) Yagi Teiji, PO2C Abe Hideo, Ebihara Kiyosaburo and Matsuda Mitsuo. Two
of the kaitens malfunction and cannot be launched. LtCdr Sugamasa reports
sinking four transports, but, in fact, all the kaitens are unsuccessful.
30 April 1945:
The I-36 returns to Kure.
1 May 1945:
Vice Admiral Daigo Tadashige relieves Vice Admiral Miwa of
command of the Sixth Fleet (Submarines).
4 June 1945:
The I-36, with six kaitens aboard, departs Hikari with
the "Todoroki" ("sound of great cannon") group to patrol east of Guam.
22 June 1945:
Saipan. The I-36 sights an oiler, sailing alone. LtCdr
Sugamasa attempts to launch two kaitens, but both malfunction. He then attacks
with four conventional torpedoes which explode prematurely, causing slight
damage to the landing craft repair ship USS ENDYMION. Sugamasa reports seeing
the ENDYMION assume a slight list, but then manages to pick up speed and escape
thereafter.
28 June 1945:
400 nm NNE of Truk The stores issue ship ANTARES
(AKS-3) is sailing alone from Saipan bound for Pearl Harbor. The I-36 spots and
attacks the ANTARES at 13-10N, 154-57E. LtCdr Sugamasa launches a kaiten piloted
by Lt(j.g.) Ikebuchi Nobuo.
At 1329, ANTARES' lookouts report a periscope and wake 100 yards on her
starboard quarter. The ANTARES goes hard right and the torpedo misses astern.
Then the lookouts see a kaiten in the port wake, turning to the right. At 1331,
the ship opens fire at the kaiten's periscope wake and zigzags to avoid. While
the ANTARES' stern swings to starboard, one of her 3-inch guns scores a hit on
the kaiten and it disappears. At 1344, another periscope appears. The I-36
broaches and the ANTARES' aft 5-inch gun opens fire at her.
The USS SPROSTON (DD-577), steaming to the States for overhaul, is
signaled by the ANTARES that she is under attack. Arriving in the vicinity, the
destroyer makes sonar contact at 1,000 yards. At 500 yards a periscope is
observed passing from starboard to port. The destroyer makes an unsuccessful
attempt to ram the submarine. Then she drops a full pattern of depth charges. A
large oil slick is later observed. She makes six more attacks with negative
results.
One of the SPROSTON's lookouts spots a torpedo wake approaching 60
degrees off her port bow. The destroyer turns hard left and the torpedo passes
along her port side. A kaiten's periscope is sighted off the port quarter. The
SPROSTON's main battery commences firing and a salvo hits the kaiten, causing a
large secondary explosion. Other ships arrive to help conduct night radar
coverage of the area. After more than ten depth-charge explosions, the I-36
receives a leak in the forward torpedo room. In order to escape, LtCdr Sugamasa
launches two more kaitens from a depth of 200 feet to engage the destroyer,
piloted by Ens Kuge Minoru and FPO1C Yanagiya Hidemasa.
The next morning, three destroyer escorts join the group. After a
thorough search, all ships depart the area. The I-36's rudder is damaged in the
attacks, but she slips away.
29 June 1945:
LtCdr Sugamasa is running on the surface when the I-36
is bombed and a fuel tank ruptured by an American patrol plane.
5 July 1945:
Bungo Straits. The I-36 is running on the surface when
she is attacked by LtCdr Guy E. O'Neil's USS GUNNEL (SS-253), but all four
torpedoes miss, passing astern.
6 July 1945:
Returns to Kure.
11 August 1945:
At Kure. Fuel tank and Type 22 radar are damaged by
the North American P-51 "Mustangs" from Iwo Jima. Estimated time for the repairs
is eight days.
15 August 1945:
At Kure with I-47. The I-36 is the sole remaining unit
of her class. The Emperor Hirohito (Showa) broadcasts an Imperial Rescript that
calls for an end to the hostilities.
September 1945:
The I-36 is surrendered to Allied Forces.
October 1945:
The I-36 is transferred from Kure to Sasebo.
30 November 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
1 April 1946: Operation "Roads End:"
The I-36 is stripped of all
usable equipment and material and towed from Sasebo to an area off Goto Retto by
the submarine tender USS NEREUS (AS-17). The NEREUS scuttles the I-36 by gunfire
at 32-37N, 129-17E.
Authors' Note: Special thanks for help in preparing this TROM go to Dr. Higuchi
Tatsuhiro of Japan.
– Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp.
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