This source describes damage and sinkings of Japanese warships in two different sections that are very similar, but differ in minor details.
The first section is a series of 'capsule reports' that were compiled from interviews of naval designers and constructors from the Japanese Naval Ministry, written reports from the Naval Ministry, and various USSBS interrogation reports. The personnel interviewed included Technical Rear Admiral Yagasaki [Masatsume] and Technical Captain Inagawa, ex-IJN, of the Design Branch, Fourth Section (Ship Construction), Technical Department, Japanese Naval Ministry. These men were especially knowledgeable of the design and construction details of the Japanese aircraft carriers and had participated in the panels that investigated sinkings of many Japanese carriers."
For SHOKAKU, it reads:
"6. SHOKAKU (CV-6) - SHOKAKU Class. Sunk 19 June 1944 during the
Battle of the Philippine Sea. She was west of the Marianas when struck
by not more than three submarine torpedoes. One was close to the
forward bomb magazines. Gasoline tanks were ruptured, and there was a
fire of undetermined proportions. Several hours later an enormous
explosion caused her to disintegrate. It may have been her bomb
magazines"
The second part of S-06-3 includes what is termed Enclosure (A), "Second Repatriation Department, Historical Survey Section, Japanese Government Report to NavTechJap, dated 15 December 1945. It is stated as being "based almost entirely on Japanese Naval Action Reports, submitted by the Commanding Officer or by the Senior Surviving Officer (as the case might be) for the various ships. It was submitted to NavTechJap in the Japanese language and translated by U.S. Naval Officers (Japanese Language Officers) assisted by civilian employees (Japanese Nationals) of NavTechJap." It can be considered as a brief of official Japanese naval action reports.
Note:
Curiously enough, NavTechJap's review finds the enclosure untrustworthy and suspect. However, in the vast majority of cases where one of the authors (A. Tully) has been able to compare the original records, the summaries are faithful reproductions. A few have
gross errors, like the KUMANO, but some of the more blatant errors are merely
due to translation slips, as in KUMA vs. TAMA. In addition, historian S.E. Morison found it sufficiently accurate that he used it for his Marianas volume. The following quote is THE source for Morison's description of the fate of SHOKAKU, and hence most of the writers after him.
The Enclosure A entry for Shokaku reads:
"9. SHOKAKU
Sunk 19 June 1944 by submarine.
1100 (approx.) Struck by three torpedoes from a submarine, resulting
in a gasoline fire of unreported proportions. The fire was extinguished
promptly, according to survivors, by closing all access to the spaces
surrounding the gasoline tanks. Gasoline fumes, however, began to seep
throughout the ship. Several hours later an enormous explosion occurred
and SHOKAKU disintegrated."
Fukaya relates that "The first blow came from an unexpected source. At 2:01 P.M. on June 19, 1944, the Shokaku while 140 miles north of Yap Island was torpedoed three times by the U.S. submarine Cavalla. Damage to the carrier, already severe, was compounded by the outbreak of serious fires which soon enveloped the entire ship. The situation soon became hopeless as the ship settled rapidly by the bow. Water quickly reached the flight deck and spilled through the open No. 1 elevator into the hanger. Thus stricken the Shokaku lost stability, turned over, and sank".
WDC 161517, "First Mobile Fleet Classified No. 1048 (5 September 1944), Detailed Battle Report of AGO Operations":
Page 243:
"On the same day [19 June], the Shokaku was attacked with torpedoes by
an enemy submarine at 1120 (4 torpedoes hit). Caught fire and sank at 1401. (Position: 12°00' N, 137°46' E).
WDC 239992, "Impressions and Battle Lessons (Air) in the 'A' Operations":
Page 262:
"At 1120 the Shokaku was subjected to enemy submarine torpedo attacks (four hits) causing fire to break out and to sink at 1401."
Page 269:
"The Case of the Shokaku (carrier) -
1. One cause of suffering an explosion on the ship in this battle seemed to have been leakage of gasoline from a damaged tank. It is necessary to consider a preventive measure to safeguard fuel tanks. One suggestion will be a need of cutting off the fuel load to one half. Any space obtained in reconditioning should be directed to safeguard fuel tanks.
2. The position of gasoline tanks should be located farther away from the hangar.
3. The gasoline tanks should be more strongly safeguarded and be so constructed that a slight damage will not cause leakage.
4. The part adjacent to to the gasoline tanks should be partitioned to small units. Each of such units should be equipped with a powerful ventilator. And it is also necessary to have proper equipment with which the hangar can be ventilated rapidly.
5. It is essential to install an outlet and its accessory with which gasoline can be drained rapidly when in need. This concerns with the fate of the carrier. This important item should be considered soon and acted upon."
Translation paraphrased and abbreviated slightly:
Page 252:
"At 1120, because of the out-ranging tactics adopted by Ozawa, the Shokaku
was cruising back and forth in the same general area at a slow speed. [?].
Since she was engaged in landing operations and attention was focused
skyward for enemy planes, attention was lacking to the sea surface and the
lookouts careless in regard to searching for submarines, words to that
effect. Suddenly at this time the lookouts noticed 4 torpedo tracks
bearing approaching from 60 degrees starboard, far too close to avoid. The
helm was turned but it was too late. "3 to 4 torpedoes hit the ship. They
As a result of the flooding from the torpedo holes, the Shokaku began to list quickly to starboard; to correct this, spaces were counterflooded on the port side----but this was done *too well*---with the result that Shokaku canted back over with a *reverse* heel to port! [Important detail. Ed.] and became waterlogged.
Meanwhile the hangar had become an inferno, for all power failed immediately, electric circuits went out, and extinguishing gear could not be used, no could anyone reach the hangar's mains. Therefore the crew desperately resorted to portable extinguishers and *bucket bridgades*---but this could not of course prevail against the fire, which also "dropped down like rain upon their heads" [av-gas burning and leaking from pipes? Ed.].
Shokaku became unnavigable, with the bow dipping, and stopped dead in the water. Many crew had died when they fell into the flames of hangar when the lifts jumped from the hits, and others had bodies "torn apart and scattered" by the explosions. Captain Matsubara soon realized that hope was lost, and gave the order for all hands to assemble and abandon the ship. Men went around calling for comrades, and several hundreds of men gathered on the flight deck for roll call even though the ocean had "already begun to swallow the front, having started to wash over the forecastle deck and was rising nearly to the level of the flight deck forward". Still the roll call continued for many sections, while others threw rafts and debris overboard and then lept after them.
Fires and explosions continued to increase, and then suddenly the ship upended, causing "sevaral hundreds" of men to slide from their feet on the flight deck aft all the way down to a fiery hell as they fell helplessly into the open fire-filled No.3 elevator; others tried to hang on for dear life. [Translator made grave expression as he read this, saying that the translation is describing *exactly* the effect of the movie Titanic which he had seen - just as horrible as the end. This made clear many otherwise vague words. Ed.].
At 2:10 the carrier finally "swung straight up" and with a "groaning roar" disappeared. Survivors remaining in the water began to sing with "blood tears" the Shokaku's ship song. The account gave the figures of 570 survivors, with 1,272 officersand men lost, and specifically called attention to the fact that the death toll was greater than carrier KAGA, which means the Japanese felt that flattop's casualty count keenly late in the war----a poignant detail.
"At 1120 Shokaku was torpedoed, caught fire, and sunk at 1410 in position 12°00' N, 137°46' E. Number of torpedo hits are not certain; survivors disagreed whether it was 3 or 4 hits."
"On 19 June 1944 attacked by submarine. 4 torpedoes hit, inducing fire from gasoline tank. Big fire resulted. Bombs exploded, and ship sank. 887 crew members and 376 of Air Group 601 were lost, for a total of 1,263 sharing the fate of the ship."
CAVALLA's report reveals:
(using "I" time zone reference, per own current position)
1119 First torpedo of six fired hits Shokaku after 50 second run, followed by 2 and 3 at 8 second intervals, the next three miss.
1320 By now, only one destroyer (Urakaze?) is still working the Cavalla over of the three that initially pounced on her.
1330 Depth charging moves further away, but remains between Cavalla and scene of attack. About this time JP sound gear "began to report loud water noises in the direction of the attack."
1352 Cavalla commences planing up to periscope depth, with depth charges still heard intermittently, as well "could loud disturbance still be heard by JP in direction of attack."
1408-1411 "Four terrific explosions were heard in direction of attack. These were not depth charges or bombs, as their rumbling continued for many seconds."
1421 Cavalla reaches periscope depth:"Nothing in sight, visibility poor due to rain squalls all around."
1429 Cavalla secured from depth charge and silent running.
Note:
Cavalla's Patrol Report gives the initial siting position as: 11°49' N, 137°52' E, and the attack is conducted at position 11°50' N, 137°57' E. This a steady easterly march of Shokaku at 25 knots on course 115 True.
The Mobile Fleet Diary gives sinking position of Shokaku as: 12°00' N, 137°46' E.
Kossler's Radio Report:
"Hit Shokaku class carrier with three out of six torpedoes at zero two one five...accompanied
by two Atago-class cruisers three destroyers possibly more..received 105 depth charges during three hour period...hull induction flooded...no other serious trouble...sure we can handle it...heard four terrific explosions in direction of target two and one half hours after attack...believe that baby sank."
Secondary Sources Referenced
Page 281:
"... the first three hit... The time was about 1220. Shokaku fell out of the formation, Urakaze standing by. Ruptured gasoline tanks started fires which damage control dealt with promptly, but deadly fumes continued to seep through the ship. ....Shortly after 1500 Kossler began to hear explosions and prolonged, monstrous rumblings. These were the death rattles of Shokaku. A bomb magazine had exploded, and the big carrier literally fell apart."
Note: Since Polmar collaborated with Minoru Genda on this book, this account may be reliable connection of the magazine explosion and the forward lift flooding being in that order, rather than just "guessed".
Page 360:
"At about 1220 three of the torpedoes slammed into the Shokaku. The three torpedo hits caused the Shokaku to fall out of line. Her fuel tanks were ruptured and fires flared up. Although damage control parties made good progress against the fires, deadly fumes from the volatile, unrefined Borneo fuel oil spread through the ship.
"The fumes created an explosive atmosphere which, shortly after 3.pm, caused the 25,675 ton Shokaku to blow apart. Her shattered hulk, enveloped in flames, began to sink by the bow. As her head went down water poured into the hangar deck through the forward elevator well and the ship quickly rolled over and sank. There were few survivors; 1,263 officers and enlisted men were lost-nine planes - five Judy, two Jill, and two Val bombers - went down with Shokaku."
Page 308:
"...at 1222, the submarine Cavalla got four torpedoes into the heavy carrier Shokaku. The carrier lost power and was engulfed in flame; despite valiant efforts to save her, the flames reached her magazines, and at 1510 she blew apart and sank."
Page 128:
"Although Kossler had heard only three explosions, four torpedoes had actually slammed into the Shokaku at 1220. The big carrier slowed and fell out of formation. Flames raged through the ship and explosions tore her apart. The Shokaku's damage control personnel were better than the Taiho's and got many of the fires under control, but they could not contain them all. And all the while, the deadly fumes from ruptured gas tanks, and tanks carrying the Tarakan petroleum, were seeping throughout the ship."
"The Shokaku was doomed. Her bow settled lower and lower in the water. Finally the water began to pour into the ship through her open forward elevator. Shortly after 1500 the fires cooked off a magazine and this explosion, intensified by volatile fumes, ripped the carrier apart. What was left of her turned over and sank at 12°00' N, 137°46' E. The Shokaku took with her 1,263 officers and men (out of a complement of about 2,000) and nine aircraft."
