SENSUIKAN!
(I-402 colorized photo by Irootoko Jr)
IJN Submarine I-402:
Tabular Record of
Movement
© 2001-2011 Bob Hackett & Sander Kingsepp
Revision 2
20 October 1943:
Sasebo Navy Yard. I-402 is laid down. This Sen Toku-class submarine was originally designed to carry three float torpedo-bombers, but during construction she is converted into an aviation gasoline tanker because of Japan's pressing need to transport fuel from the East Indies to the homeland.
5 September 1944:
Launched.
15 March 1945:
Cdr Nakamura Otoji (former CO of I-68 and I-5) is posted the Chief Equipping Officer (CEO).
24 July 1945:
Completed and registered in the Kure Naval District.
I-402 is attached to the Sixth Fleet in Captain Ariizumi Tatsunosuke's (former CO of the I-8) SubDiv 1 with I-13, I-14, I-400 and I-401. Cdr Nakamura is the Commanding Officer (CO).
11 August 1945:
After 1040, North American P-51D "Mustang" fighters from Iwo Jima raid the Kure area. I-402 suffers several near misses and her main fuel tanks are punctured in two places by fragments. Two sailors are wounded.
15 August 1945:
The Imperial Palace, Tokyo. Emperor Hirohito (Showa) broadcasts an Imperial Rescript that calls for an end to the hostilities.
September 1945:
Surrenders at Kure.
October 1945:
Under an American crew, I-402 departs Kure for Sasebo .
30 November 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
26 March 1946: Submarine Officers Conference, Washington, DC:
The attendees, including former ComSubPac Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, are told that "orders are being issued to dispose of all Japanese submarines by sinking. Those in Japan will be sunk at once, those in Pearl Harbor when authorized by SCAP and at the discretion of CinCPAC
dispose of all captured Japanese submarines by sinking." [5]
1 April 1946: Operation "Road's End":
Goto Islands. I-402, with HA-201 tied to her, is used for target practice by USS EVERETT F. LARSON (DD-830) and other warships. Later, she is scuttled 16 nautical miles off Kinai Island on bearing 090 just beyond the 100-fathom line at 32-37N, 129-17E.
Authors' Note:
Thanks go to Dr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan. Thanks also go to Derek Waller of UK for info about the Submarine Officers Conference.
– Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp
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