© 1998 Allyn D. Nevitt

IJN Akishimo: Tabular Record of Movement


Name Translation: "Autumn Frost"

11 March 1944:
Completed at Osaka; assigned same date to Desron 11, Combined Fleet, for training. Ship's captain: Commander Hirayama Toshio [55] (prev. C.O. SHIRAKUMO).

1 April:
Lieutenant Commander Hirayama (to C.O. HAYASHIMO) relieved by Lieutenant Commander Nakao Kotaro [57] (prev. C.O. UMIKAZE).

10-16 May:

Escorted MUSASHI, CHITOSE, CHIYODA and ZUIHO from Saeki via Okinawa to Tawitawi.

23-25 May:
Escorted tanker convoy from Tawitawi to Davao.

25 May-14 June:

Davao-area patrol/escort duties.

10 June:

Assigned to Desron 2, Second Fleet.

19-20 June: Battle of the Philippine Sea

Escorted Admiral Joshima's Force B.

1-12 July:

Escorted MYOKO and HAGURO on troop transport mission from Kure via Manila and Zamboanga to Singapore.

15 August:

Assigned to Desdiv 2 (HAYASHIMO, AKISHIMO, KIYOSHIMO), Desron 2, Second Fleet.

18-20 October:

Escorted fleet from Lingga to Brunei.

23-26 October: Battle of Leyte Gulf

Escorted Admiral Kurita's 1st Diversion Attack Force. On 23 October rescued 769 MAYA survivors, later transferred to MUSASHI. On 24 October assisted the torpedoed MYOKO and transferred Comcrudiv 5 (Vice Admiral Hashimoto Shintaro) to HAGURO. On 25 October in minor collision with SHIMAKAZE; later assisted damaged HAYASHIMO and escorted towards Coron. On 26 October ordered to rejoin fleet, then rescued 328 NOSHIRO survivors.

27-29 October:

Refueled at Coron, then to Brunei.

4 November:

Arrived in Manila from Brunei to assist in Leyte troop transport operations.

9-10 November:

Escorted troop convoy TA No. 4 from Manila to Ormoc. Heavy damage: in air attack by U.S. Army B-25s during withdrawal: took direct bomb hit and lost bow; 20 killed and 35 injured; returned to Manila at 16 knots, then to Cavite Navy Yard on 11 November for repairs.

13-14 November:
Sunk:
in U.S. air raid on Manila, while alongside AKEBONO at Cavite pier (14-35 N, 120-55 E). Direct bomb hits set both ships ablaze; on 14th a large explosion on AKISHIMO further damaged both ships; AKISHIMO rolled over onto starboard side. 15 killed, 25 injured; 170 survivors, including Commander Nakao (to C.O. YOIZUKI).

10 January 1945:

Removed from Navy List.


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