© 1998 Allyn D. Nevitt

IJN Natsugumo: Tabular Record of Movement


Initial Command Structure:
Ship's captain: Commander Tsukamoto Moritarou (prev. C.O. OSHIO). Assigned to Desdiv 9, Desron 4, Second Fleet.

26-29 November 1941:
Steamed with Desron 4 from Terashima Strait to Mako (Pescadores).

7-11 December:
Departed Mako, then with Vigan (Philippines) invasion force.

22 December:
With Lingayen invasion force.

12 January 1942:
With Tarakan invasion force.

23 January:
With Balikpapan invasion force.

8 February:
With Makassar invasion force.

25 February:
Assisted in occupation of Bawean Island.

27 February:
With Eastern Java invasion force.

27-28 February: Battle of the Java Sea:
Detached early in action to shepherd troop convoy to safety.

1 March:
With MINEGUMO, damaged USS PERCH (SS-176) in depth-charge attack.

31 March-10 April:
With Christmas Island invasion force, then escorted damaged NAKA to Singapore.

12-20 April:
Steamed from Singapore via Formosa to Yokosuka, then docked for repairs.

4-6 June: Battle of Midway:
Escorted Admiral Kondo's Occupation Force Main Body.

27 June-13 July:
Escorted fleet patrolling out of Ominato southwest of the Aleutians.

19-25 July:
Escorted CHOKAI from Kure to Truk.

29 July-1 August:
Transport run from Truk to Kwajalein, then returned to Yokosuka on 8 August.

11-17 August:
Escorted fleet from Yokosuka to Truk.

24 August: Battle of the Eastern Solomons:
Escorted CHITOSE.

September:
Escorted fleet patrolling out of Truk north of the Solomons.

26-28 September:
Steamed from Truk to the Shortlands.

2 October:
Troop transport run to Guadalcanal.

5 October:
Troop transport run to Guadalcanal. Detached to escort damaged MINEGUMO back to Shortlands.

8 October:
Troop transport run to Guadalcanal.

11-12 October:
Escorted NISSHIN and CHITOSE on troop transport run to Guadalcanal. Sunk: by air attack while assisting crippled MURAKUMO in aftermath of Battle of Cape Esperance. Near-misses caused uncontrollable flooding and ship capsized only 39 minutes after attack, 90 miles west-northwest of Savo Island (08-40 S, 159-20 E). ASAGUMO rescued the crew, but there were 16 killed, including Commander Tsukamoto.

15 November 1942:
Removed from Navy List.


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