Ikazuchi (雷, "Thunder")[1] was the twenty-third Fubuki-classdestroyer, or the third Akatsuki class (if that sub-class is regarded as a separate class), built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the inter-war period. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world.[2] They remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War.
Construction of the advanced Akatsuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships.[3] The Akatsuki class had performance that was a quantum leap over previous destroyer designs, so much so that they were designated Special Type destroyers (特型, Tokugata). The large size, powerful engines, high speed, large radius of action and unprecedented armament gave these destroyers the firepower similar to many light cruisers in other navies. The Akatsuki sub-class was an improved version of the Fubuki, externally almost identical, but incorporating changes to her propulsion system.[5]
On 2 March 1942, Ikazuchi rescued the remaining 400 odd survivors[7] who were still in the water from the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Exeter (some of whose survivors had been rescued on 1 March[8]) and the destroyer HMS Encounter, both ships having been sunk the previous day in the Second Battle of the Java Sea between Java and Borneo. The survivors had been adrift for some 20 hours, in rafts and life jackets or clinging to floats, many coated in oil and unable to see.[9][10] Among the rescued was Lieutenant (later Sir) Sam Falle, an officer aboard Encounter, who would go on to become a British diplomat.[11][12]
This humanitarian decision by Lieutenant Commander Shunsaku Kudō placed Ikazuchi at risk of submarine attack, and interfered with her fighting ability due to the sheer numbers of rescued sailors. The action was later the subject of a book[13][14] and a 2007 TV programme.[15][16][17]
From September, Ikazuchi was reassigned as escort for the new aircraft carriers Zuihō and Unyō, which the destroyer accompanied to Truk, and missions in the Solomon Islands and back to Kure Naval District.
From October, Ikazuchi was used for numerous “Tokyo Express" high speed transport runs throughout the Solomon Islands.[19]
On 25 October 1942 Ikazuchi, Akatsuki, and Shiratsuyu conducted a daylight raid into the waters off Guadalcanal. In the resulting action, the fast minesweeperUSS Zane was damaged and fleet tug USS Seminole and patrol craft YP-284 were sunk before the Japanese ships were driven off by US Marinecoastal artillery. Ikazuchi suffered light damage from strafing attacks by Allied aircraft, with four crewmen killed.
Ikazuchi participated in the first night action of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942. Stationed on the right flank of the battleshipsHiei and Kirishima with two other destroyers, she engaged several U.S. warships, among them the cruiser USS Atlanta, and received hits to her forward gun mount, which caught fire. In the battle, 21 crewmen were killed and 20 injured, and she had to return to Truk for emergency repairs.[20]
After repairs at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal from December to the end of February 1943, Ikazuchi returned to the north Pacific, and was present at the Battle of the Komandorski Islands on 26 March but saw no action. On 30 March, she collided with the destroyer Wakaba, suffering moderate damage. Ikazuchi was reassigned to Desron 11 of the IJN 1st Fleet on 1 April 1943. After repairs at Yokosuka, she returned to Truk, and escorted convoys between Truk and the Japanese home islands until mid-April 1944.
Under the command of Lieutenant Commander Ikunaga Kunio, on 13 April 1944, while escorting the transport Sanyō Maru to Woleai, Ikazuchi was torpedoed and sunk by the submarine USS Harder, approximately 200 nautical miles (370 km) south-southwest of Guam at position 10°13′N143°51′E / 10.217°N 143.850°E / 10.217; 143.850. There were no survivors. On 10 June 1944, Ikazuchi was removed from the navy list.[4]
Notes
^ abNelson. Japanese-English Character Dictionary. Page 943
^hisashi (2007-05-21). "Kudo Shunsaku and the Destroyer Ikazuchi". Retrieved 2008-06-29.. This forum discussion contains a brief summary of the 2006 Megumi book's account of the HMS Encounter and HMS Exeter rescues.
^伊勢, 雅臣 (2006-08-13). 駆逐艦「雷」艦長・工藤俊作 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2008-06-29.. In Japanese. A summary of the 2007 television program.
^Morison. Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, June 1942-April 1944.
^D’Albas. Death of a Navy: Japanese Naval Action in World War II.
