© 1998, 2009 Allyn D. Nevitt

IJN Yugure: Tabular Record of Movement

ARIAKE-class profile (Modfied-HATSUHARU-class - 2 ships) profile (Ships of the World) (Edit-1)

@Updated - July 16, 2009 - Allyn Nevitt

@Revised April 2015 - Allyn Nevitt with Anthony Tully


Initial Command Structure:
Ship's captain: Lieutenant Commander Kamo Kiyoshi [52] (prev. C.O.SHIRATSUYU). Assigned to Desdiv 27 (SHIGURE, SHIRATSUYU, ARIAKE, YUGURE), Desron 1, First Fleet.

December 1941:

Desdiv 27 remained in Japanese home waters, guarding battleships and conducting antisubmarine patrols.


18-23 December:
Desdiv 27 departed Tokuyama to meet returning Pearl Harbor Striking Force, then escorted it into Hashirijima.

12-17 January 1942:

With ARIAKE (2nd section, Desdiv 27) and Desdiv 7, escorted HIRYU and SORYU from Hashirijima to Palau.

17 December:
1140 Arrived at Palau with ARIAKE.

21 January:

1600: With ARIAKE, USHIO and SAZANAMI, escorted HIRYU and SORYU out of Palau for air strikes on Ambon.

25 January:
0300 Arrived at Davao, Mindanao.

26 January:
2200 Departed Davao.

28 January:
Refueled from auxiliary tanker KOKUYO MARU (10,026 tons.)

31 January:
0730: Returned to Palau. Henceforth training in the area.

15 February:
1400: Departed Palau with Kido Butai.

19 February:

With ARIAKE, joined escort of Admiral Nagumo's carrier force out of Palau in air strikes on Port Darwin.

21 February:
1015: Arrived with Kido Butai at Staring Bay, Celebes.

24 February:
1830: Departed Staring Bay with ARIAKE as part of the eastern Java Distant Support Force in company with Nagumo's Kido Buitai in operations south of Java.

1 March:
1145: Fired on and assisted in sinking MV MODJOKERTO with gunfire from CHIKUMA and four other Desron 1 destroyers.

6 March:
0020-1000: YUGURE and ARIAKE refueled from the First Supply Unit.

10 March:
1550: Arrived back at Staring Bay in advance of the carrier fleet.

11 March:

1630: With ARIAKE, departed. Escorted convoy from Staring Bay via the Bonins to Sasebo.

17 March:
0900: Arrived at Chichi-jima; left 1700 the same day.

19 March:
0800: Arrived at Ise Bay. Departed at 1700.

22 March:
1025: Arrived at Sasebo.

April 1942:
Entered drydock at Sasebo for repairs.

15-25 April:

1500: Desdiv 27 steamed from Sasebo to Mako (Pescadores) to meet SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU.

17 April:
1715: Desdiv 27 arrived at Mako. Refueled.

19 April:
1100: Departed Mako for Truk with Cardiv 5.

25 April:
Arrived at Truk with Cardiv 5.

1 May:
Departed Truk with Cardiv 5 in Operation MO, the invasion of Port Moresby.

BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA - 7-8 May 1942:
With Desdiv 7 (minus SAZANAMI), Desdiv 27 escorted Admiral Takagi's Striking Force.

8 May:

  • Action:
    - 0907-0915 Anti-Air action. Carrier planes attacked and badly damaged SHOKAKU with three bomb hits.
    - 1010 SHOKAKU detached escorted by USHIO and YUGURE, heading 50 degrees at 30 knots.
    - 1030 Damaged SHOKAKU ordered to head for the homeland at best speed. KINUGASA, FURUTAKA, YUGURE and USHIO provisionally assigned as direct escort clear of the battlefield.
    - 1515 KINUGASA and FURUTAKA detached, proceeded to the Shortlands.

    9 May:
    0015: YUGURE, USHIO and others met a tanker. Later refueled from it.
    0515 ComMobile Force ordered YUGURE to proceed with SHOKAKU to Yokosuka. USHIO released; rejoined ZUIKAKU screen.

    10 May:
    Noon: SAZANAMI joined SHOKAKU and YUGURE.

    11 May:
    Destination changed from Yokosuka to Kure.

    12 May:
    Three destroyers of Desdiv 15 (KUROSHIO, OYASHIO, HAYASHIO) which had departed Manila morning of 10 May joined SHOKAKU and YUGURE east of the Philippines. SAZANAMI released (Arrived at Saipan afternoon of 14 May.)

    17 May:
    1830: Arrived at Kure with the three destroyers of Desdiv 15 and SHOKAKU. Underwent maintenance and repairs. Subsequently training and cruising in Inland Sea. (Edit-2)

    29 May:
    0600: Departed Tokuyama to join Main Body of the attempt to capture Midway Island.

    4-5 June: Battle of Midway

    Desdiv 27 escorted Admiral Takasu's Aleutians Guard Force.

    8 June:
    Desdiv 27 re-assigned with other units from the Aleutians Guard Force to join the Northern Naval Force.

    9 June:
    Desdiv 27 after refueling proceeded to meet Second Kido Butai (Cardiv 4).

    17 June:
    Desdiv 27 with Desdiv 20 returned to Yokosuka.

    14 July:

    Desdiv 27 reassigned to Desron 4, Second Fleet.

    11-17 August:

    Desdiv 27 escorted Second Fleet from Yokosuka to Truk. Desdiv 27 then temporarily attached to Fourth Fleet for strengthening of positions in Gilbert Islands-area.

    18-30 August:

    Departed Truk for Jaluit, then on 22-23 August bombarded and on 26 August occupied Ocean Island with ship's landing party (relieved by garrison unit on 1 September).Then steamed from Jaluit to the Shortlands.

    2 September:

    Troop transport run to Guadalcanal: With KAGERO, landed about 150 men and supplies at Taivu.

    5 September:

    Troop transport run to Guadalcanal: With FUBUKI, SHIRAYUKI, AMAGIRI, and KAGERO, landed 370 men plus food and ammunition at Taivu.

    8 September:

    Attack mission to Guadalcanal: In response to enemy landings at Taivu, SENDAI and 8 destroyers sortied from Shortlands to attack, but succeeded only in sinking YP-346 around 2240 off Tulagi.

    September-October:

    Attached to Cardiv 11 (seaplane carriers) for transport and escort duties; completed seven missions between Shortlands and Rekata.

    12 October:
    With YURA, Desdiv 27 (minus ARIAKE) out of Shortlands to assume escort of returning NISSHIN and CHITOSE following the Battle of Cape Esperance.

    1 November:
    Lieutenant Commander Kamo promoted to Commander.

    2 November:

    Troop transport run to Guadalcanal: With TENRYU, Desdiv 27 and seven other destroyers carried food, fuel, ammunition, and 240 soldiers to (and evacuated 65 from) Tassafaronga. Landings curtailed incomplete due to adverse weather and surf conditions.

    5 November:

    Troop transport run to Guadalcanal: With six other destroyers, Desdiv 27 carried about 200 soldiers apiece to Tassafaronga, total force also evacuating about 250 construction workers and wounded.

    8 November:

    Troop transport run to Guadalcanal: With six other destroyers, Desdiv 27 (minus ARIAKE) carried unspecified number of troops and provisions to Tassafaronga.

    12-13 November: First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal

    Desdiv 27 (minus ARIAKE) served as distant screening force to Admiral Abe's Bombardment Force so played no role in battle. Stood by crippled HIEI during air attacks and removed survivors, then to Truk on 18 November.

    28 November-3 December:

    With ARIAKE steamed from Truk via Rabaul (1 December) to Shortlands.

    3 December:

    0530: Arrived at Shortlands.
    1100: Departed on supply-drum transport run to Guadalcanal (cover). With NAGANAMI and MAKINAMI, served as guard force for seven other destroyers carrying supply-drums to Tassafaronga.

    4 December:
    0840: Returned to Shortland Islands.

    9 December:
    1230: Departed with AMAGIRI on transport operation to Guadalcanal.
    2011-2315: Arrived off Guadalcanal; unloaded.

    10 December:
    0700: Returned to Shortland Islands.

    12-13 December:
    1230: Departed Shortlands again with AMAGIRI on transport duty for Rekata Bay. Returned.

    15-16 December:
    1230: Departed Shortlands with AMAGIRI on transport duty for Rekata Bay. Returned.

    18-23 December:

    Escorted convoys between Shortlands and Rabaul. Returned to Rabaul.

    26 December:

    1640: Departed Rabaul on troop transport run via the Shortlands to New Georgia: With URAKAZE, TANIKAZE, ISONAMI, INAZUMA and ARASHIO, carried 600 troops to occupy Wickham Anchorage.

    27 December:
    1335: Arrived at Shortlands.
    2125: Arrived at Wickham Anchorage.
    2240: Unload completed. Departed.

    28 December:
    0640: Arrived at Rabaul.

    1-4 January 1943:

    Escorted convoy from Rabaul to Truk.

    7-12 January:

    With INAZUMA, ISONAMI, ASASHIO, and ARIAKE, escorted ZUIKAKU, MUTSU and SUZUYA from Truk to Kure.

    13 December:
    1500: Departed Kure with ARIAKE for Sasebo.

    14-30 January:
    At Sasebo for maintenance and refitting: twin 25mm machine guns replace single 40mm abreast aft funnel.

    3-9 February:

    Escorted convoy of first phase of HEI-GO transporting troops and equipment from Sasebo to Tsingtao.

    12-21 February:

    Escorted troop convoy (4
    th section of Operation HEI No. 3) from Tsingtao to Palau: JUZAN MARU, SHINKYO MARU, and ARATAMA MARU carried elements of 41st Division.

    22 February:
    1300: Departed Palau with same convoy to Wewak. SATSUKI and FUMIZUKI having joined escort.

    26 February:
    1130: Arrived at Wewak with convoy.

    28 February:

    Noon: Departed with aircrew (ground-support units of ZUIHO) transport run from Wewak to Truk.

    2 March:
    1300: Arrived at Truk. Unloaded.

    8-13 March:

    With HAGIKAZE, escorted CHUYO from Truk to Yokosuka.

    15 March:
    1600: Departed Yokosuka for Sasebo.

    17 March:
    0745: Arrived at Sasebo.

    19-20 March:
    Departed Sasebo with HAGIKAZE escorting KONGO for West Inland Sea.

    22-27 March:

    With HATSUZUKI, SUZUTSUKI and KAGERO, escorted JUNYO and HIYO from Saeki to Truk.

    5 April:
    0600: Departed Rabaul. Assigned to escort NICHIEI MARU.

    6 April:
    0800: Arrived at Truk.

    8 April:
    1335: Departed Truk with ComDesRon 4 flagship NAGARA to meet YUZUKI and YUGIRI to assist torpedoed KOSEI MARU (8,237 tons - torpedoed by USS TUNNY the prior evening).

    9 April:

  • Action:
    - 0440: Joined YUGIRI and YUZUKI.
    - 0530: Arrived at crippled KOSEI MARU. Commenced anti-submarine patrol.
    - 0558: Submarine detected. With NAGARA and YUZUKI started depth-charge action.
    - 1308 KOSEI MARU foundered during towing by NAGARA. (Cruiser rescued 137 passengers and crew)

    10 April:
    1030: Returned with NAGARA to Truk.

    13 April:
    1300: Departed Truk with SUZUTSUKI on escort and sweep duty.

    14 April:
    2000: Collided with MUKO MARU south of Truk. Slight damage received.

    15 April:
    1600: Arrived back at Truk. Went alongside AKASHI for repairs.

    16 April:
    0800: Repairs completed. Departed Truk on sweep duty.

    28-29 April:
    1555: Departed Truk to escort KYOKUTO MARU. Returned.

    8-13 May:

    With NAGANAMI, SAMIDARE, and USHIO, escorted YAMATO, CHUYO, UNYO, MYOKO and HAGURO from Truk to Yokosuka.

    6 June:
    1400: Desdiv 27 departed Sasebo for Yokosuka.

    10 June:
    Assigned with ARIAKE to escort HIYO to Truk.
  • Action:
    - 1400 Departed Yokosuka with ARIAKE escorting carrier HIYO flagship of Comcardiv 2.
    - 1852 HIYO struck by two torpedoes fired by USS TRIGGER (SS-237) in position bearing 64 degrees 17 miles from Miyake Island. The carrier went dead in the water. Commenced depth-charging and suppression of the submarine.
    - 1937 While YUGURE was closing HIYO was mistaken in the darkness for the submarine and fired upon by the carrier. Two men are killed and five wounded on the fantail while handling depth-charges, and the shield of No.3 turret is damaged.
    - Remained on anti-submarine sweep guard duty with ARIAKE through the night.

    11 June:
    Assisted HIYO and escorted ISUZU guarding the carrier back to Yokosuka.

    12 June:
    1030: YUGURE and ARIAKE arrived back at Yokosuka.

    16-21 June:

    1100: With ARIAKE as part of larger fleet deployment, Desdiv 27 (minus SHIRATSUYU) departed Yokosuka and escorted RYUHO to Truk.

    21-28 June:
    At Truk for maintenance and refitting: twin 25mm machine guns added on bandstand forward of bridge.

    2 July:
    1600: Departed Truk.

    5 July:
    1150 Arrived at Rabaul.

    6-9 July:

    Escorted SENDAI from Truk to Shortlands;

    9-10 July:
    Troop transport run to Kolombangara (cover): With YUKIKAZE, TANIKAZE and HAMAKAZE, guard force for reinforcement mission from Shortlands to Vila and back.

    12 July: Battle of Kolombangara

    Troop transport run to Kolombangara (cover). With YUKIKAZE, HAMAKAZE and KIYONAMI, contributed eight torpedoes to two spreads that sank USS GWIN (DD-433) and damaged USS HONOLULU (CL-48) and ST. LOUIS (CL-49).

    16 July:
    2200: Departed Rabaul as part of No.5 Transport Operation. It is hoped to destroy enemy surface units during the operation. (See 18 July)

    17 July:
    0900: While west of Buka Island, the operation is cancelled and postponed for one day.
    1850: Returned to Rabaul.

    18 July:

    2150: Departed Rabaul as part of the "Night Battle Force" of four cruisers and four destroyers with three other destroyers serving as transports in No.6 Transport Operation. In this case the transport run is secondary; the heavy cruisers are coming along in hopes of ambushing and sinking the expected American cruiser forces that have repeatedly disrupted surface operations. The operation is under command of Rear Admiral Nishimura Shoji on SUZUYA. (Edit-3)

    19 July:
  • Action:
    - 1730 The Night Battle Force rendezvoused with the three transport destroyers coming from Buin.
    - 1905 Enemy aircraft attack. Repulsed.
    - 2100 Learning no enemy surface force in the area, the transport destroyers are ordered to separate and proceed to Vila as planned.
    - 2220 Flares sighted over transport unit; presumed to be enemy attack. Preparations for gun and torpedo action.
    - 2310: No enemy surface force detected, the Night Battle Force reverses course in order to retire beyond range by daylight.

    20 July:
  • Action:
    - About ten minutes after midnight (JST) six TBFs armed with 2,000 pound bombs make a radar assisted night attack on the force from the southeast when it was northwest of Vella Lavella Island. The Japanese are taken by surprise but return AA fire is fierce.
    - 0034 YUGURE then on the starboard flank of the formation is hit by a large bomb amidships and explodes and sinks immediately. Position north-northwest of Kolombangara (07-25 S, 156-45 E) At the same time the KUMANO receives a damaging hit in the starboard quarter but is able to proceed. (Edit-4)
    - 0115 Force is attacked second time by enemy planes but are repelled with no further damage. The Japanese shot down two TBFs and two B-25s in the two pre-dawn engagements in turn. Attention is turned to the fate of YUGURE. Destroyer KIYONAMI returned to the scene of the disaster to try to rescue YUGURE's crew. Approximately twenty survivors are found and brought aboard. (Edit-5)
    - 0209: KIYONAMI search is suspended. Headed to rejoin the force. However...
    - 0520 (USAAF time - 0721) The KIYONAMI is attacked by eight B-25s looking for the cruiser reported crippled. Bomb hits exploded a magazine and KIYONAMI went under within two minutes taking down her crew and the rescued YUGURE men. (Edit-6)
    - 0955 Japanese commands are alerted regarding YUGURE and KIYONAMI: "Personnel from our ships are adrift in the vicinity of position bearing 265 degrees 24 miles from Base Ko 3. Proceed at once to carry out search over a wide area in this vicinity and rescue these men.(You may temporarily unload any cargo)"
    - 1108 Transport group and Night Battle Force rejoined. (Transport force had successfully landed about 300 men and munitions on Kolombangara)
    - 1730: Night Battle Force returned to Rabaul. Japanese Army requested to continue search for survivors by barges.
    - That day Desron 4 is abolished and Desdiv 27 (with YUGURE still nominally attached) is re-assigned to Desron 2, 2nd Fleet.

  • Postscript:
    At 1854 on 30 July 1943 Comdesdiv 27 Captain Hara Tameichi reported: "At 0034, 20 July in vicinity of Choiseul YUGURE was bombed and sunk by enemy planes. It appears certain that the Captain, Commander Kamo Kiyoshi and all members of the crew were killed." Ten days had passed since the sinking and hopes were close to nil. Captain Hara's pessimism proved almost literally justified. Only five days later a single survivor of KIYONAMI is rescued. At 1300 6 August his spot report about KIYONAMI's fate was transmitted. (See KIYONAMI trom.) The final combined toll from the tragic fate of the two destroyers was apparently 468 officers and men lost, with only one survivor.


    15 October 1943:

    Removed from Navy List.

    Editor's Notes and Remarks




    Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Anthony Tully, Bill Somerville, and Erich Muehlthaler for contributing from their works to this TROM.


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