SENSUIKAN!

© 2001 Bob Hackett & Sander Kingsepp

5 November 1943:
The I-43 is completed at the Sasebo Navy Yard, commissioned in the IJN and based in the Yokosuka Naval District. Cdr Endo Shinobu* (former CO of I-30) is assigned as the Commanding Officer.

15 November 1943:
The I-43 is assigned to the Sixth Fleet's SubRon 11 with the 1-42, -45, -52, -183, I-184, RO-40, -41, -43, -113, -114 and the RO-115.

December 1943:
The I-43 departs Sasebo for Yokosuka.

January 1944:
The I-43 departs Yokosuka for Kure.

9 February 1944:
The I-43 departs Kure on a supply mission via Saipan to Truk.

11 February 1944:
The I-43 is reassigned to SubDiv 15, Sixth Fleet.

13 February 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.

14 February 1944:
Vice Admiral (Admiral, posthumously) Takagi Takeo's (former CO of MUTSU) Sixth Fleet Headquarters signals the I-43 to proceed to Truk. The I-43 departs Saipan carrying 59 sailors from the 2nd Platoon of the 101st Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force aboard. Her estimated time of arrival at Truk is 16 February.

15 February 1944:
N of Truk. LtCdr William A. Stevenson's USS ASPRO (SS-309) is submerged on station as part of the forthcoming Operation "Hailstone". His soundman picks up the I-43's propeller noises. At 1121, Stevenson sights a submarine proceeding southward on the surface, but he is unable to close for an attack while submerged. He lets the I-boat pass, then surfaces in the daylight, puts on speed and begins tracking her.

280 miles ESE of Guam. Stevenson begins an "end around" while keeping the enemy submarine in his high periscope until his loses visual contact in the darkness. After a long radar-assisted chase, the ASPRO is able to close to 2,100 yards. At 2223, Stevenson fires four torpedoes. Two hit the I-43. She explodes and her bow rises out of the water, then sinks by the stern with all 166 hands at 10-23N, 150-23E.

17-18 February 1944: American Operation "Hailstone" - The Attack on Truk:
Task Force 58's five fleet carriers and four light carriers, supported by six battleships, ten cruisers and 28 destroyers, launch air attacks on Japanese ships in the lagoon, airfields and shore installations. They sink 31 transports and 10 naval vessels (two cruisers, four destroyers and four auxiliary vessels), destroy nearly 200 aircraft and damage severely about 100 more.

8 April 1944:
The I-43 is presumed lost in the Truk area. Cdr Endo is promoted Captain, posthumously.

30 April 1944:
Removed from the Navy List.

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Authors' Note:
* On 5 August 1942, Cdr Endo docked his I-30 at Lorient, France to become the first Japanese submarine CO to reach Europe during World War II.

Special thanks for help in preparing this TROM go to Dr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan. – Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp.

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