SENSUIKAN!
HIJMS Submarine I-42: Tabular Record of
Movement
© 2001 Bob Hackett & Sander Kingsepp
3 November 1943:
The I-42 is completed at the Kure Navy Yard, commissioned in the IJN and based in the Yokosuka Naval District. Cdr Ogawa Tsunayoshi (former CO of I-33, -164) is assigned as the Commanding Officer.
Late November 1943:
Participates in ASW exercises in the Iyo Nada with the Kure-based sub tender CHOGEI, the I-43, RO-40 and the RO-113.
1 January 1944:
The I-42 is in Rear Admiral Owada Noboru's (former CO of YAMASHIRO) SubRon 7 in SubDiv 11 with the I-43, -52, -183, -184, ROs 40, -41,
-43, -113, -114 and the RO-115.
31 January 1944:
Reassigned to SubDiv 15, Sixth Fleet.
12 February 1944:
Departs Yokosuka on her first war patrol to operate NE of Truk.
20 February 1944:
Arrives at her assigned area.
3 March 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.
4 March 1944:
Departs Saipan for Truk.
7 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
15 March 1944:
The I-42 departs Truk on a supply run to Palau.
19 March 1944:
Arrives at Palau, embarks cargo and personnel.
23 March 1944:
Departs Palau for a supply run to Rabaul, carrying a total of 102 hands. Her estimated time of arrival is 30 March. Cdr Ogawa zigzags on the surface at 18 knots.
At 2119, LtCdr John A. Scott on the USS TUNNY (SS-282), alerted by an "Ultra" signals- intelligence message from ComSubPac at Pearl Harbor, picks up a contact at 13,000 yards on the TUNNY's SJ radar. Scott closes the target on the surface and visually identifies it as an
I-class submarine, but the I-42's lookouts also sight the TUNNY. For almost an hour and one-half, Scott and Ogawa maneuver for position, each attempting to prevent the other from obtaining a shot.
Six miles SW of Angaur, Palau. At 2324, Scott fires four torpedoes at 1,900 yards. He comes hard starboard to prevent a collision and crash-dives to avoid a possible return attack. Before the TUNNY's hatch is closed, two hits are heard and felt and a brilliant flash is seen. Scott dives to 150 feet and begins to circle the area. His soundman reports that the screws of the Japanese submarine have stopped. Breaking up noises are heard that continue for an hour. The I-42 sinks with all 102 hands at 06-40N, 134-03E.
27 April 1944:
Presumed lost N of the Admiralty Islands.
30 April 1944:
Removed from the Navy List.
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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