© 1998 Allyn D. Nevitt

IJN Shimotsuki: Tabular Record of Movement


31 March 1944:
Completed at Nagasaki; assigned same date to Desron 11, Combined Fleet, for training. Ship's captain: Lieutenant Commander Hatano Kenji (prev. C.O. HAGIKAZE).

3 April:
Arrived Kure, then training in Inland Sea.

10-14 June:
Assigned to Desron 10, Third Fleet, then steamed from Sasebo to Guimarras to join fleet.

19-20 June: Battle of the Philippine Sea
Escorted Admiral Ozawa's Force A.

8-20 July:
Escorted fleet from Kure via Okinawa and Manila to Lingga.

15 July:
Assigned to Desdiv 41, Desron 10, Third Fleet.

4-15 August:
Escorted Convoy HI-70 from Singapore to Moji. Primary escort/planeguard to SHINYO.

17-24 August:
Docked at Yokosuka, then training.

15 October:
Lieutenant Commander Hatano promoted to Commander.

25 October: Battle of Leyte Gulf
Escorted Admiral Ozawa's Northern Force in Battle off Cape Engano. Assisted ISUZU rescuing CHITOSE survivors, then escorted ISE-HYUGA surface attack force.

8-16 November:
Escorted ISE and HYUGA on transport mission from Kure to Manila, but diverted to Spratly Islands instead.

19-22 November:
Escorted fleet from Spratlys to Lingga.

24 November:
Became flagship of Escort Squadron 31 (Rear Admiral Edo Heitaro) at Singapore, then departed with MOMO for Brunei.

25 November:
Sunk: torpedoed by USS CAVALLA (SS-244) 220 miles east-northeast of Singapore (2-21 N, 107-20 E) with heavy loss of life, including Commander Hatano, Comdesdiv 41 (Captain Wakida Kiichiro), and Admiral Edo. MOMO returned to rescue survivors.

10 January 1945:
Removed from Navy List.


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