Satsuki (1925)

Ordered in accordance with the "New Shipbuilding Program for the replacement of ships under the terms of the Washington Treaty of 1923." Ships of this type were the development of destroyers of the Kamikaze type . More powerful torpedo tubes (built) were installed on destroyers of the Mutsuki type. To increase the stability of the ship, the hull dimensions and displacement were increased.

Built on the basis of the experience of the First World War, the destroyers were designed to attack the enemy’s linear forces and protect their heavy artillery ships from destroyer attacks, set active minefields and mine sweeping. However, by the end of the 1930s, ships were significantly inferior in basic parameters to new destroyers, both Japanese and future opponents. Satsuki was built at the Fujinagata Shipyards in Osaka in 1924-25. It went into operation under the name "No. 27" on August 1, 1928, it received its main name.

Artillery weapons included four single-gun shield installations of 120-mm type 3 guns (length 45 calibers, range - 5500 m, stock of 180 shells per gun, rate of fire - 9 rounds per minute). One gun was placed on the forecastle, the second between two pipes in the central part of the ship, two more - in the cow part in front and behind the main mast. The ships had virtually no anti-aircraft weapons, which was limited to two type 92.7.7 mm machine guns. The increased role of aviation required the strengthening of anti-aircraft weapons, which was carried out during the modernization of the ship in 1938. Two single 25-mm type 96 anti-aircraft guns were installed (length - 60 calibers, rate of fire up to 110 rounds per minute, effective firing height up to 1500 m, range up to 3000 m, stock of shells - 2000 per gun). 7.7 mm machine guns were replaced by 13.2 mm type 93.

In August 1943, a large replacement of weapons was carried out on the ship, aimed at strengthening anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weapons. The installation of the main caliber No. 4 was dismantled, the number of 25 mm machine guns increased to 10. The general trend of strengthening anti-aircraft weapons led to a constant increase in the number of barrels. In March 1944, another 120 mm installation (No. 2) was dismantled. Two 25 mm machine guns and a coaxial 13 mm machine gun were installed. In June 1944, four more 25-mm machine guns and one 13-mm machine gun were added.

Torpedo armament was strengthened due to the fact that new three-tube 610-mm torpedo tubes of type 12 were first installed on destroyers of this type, which made it possible to reduce their number. The first device was traditionally for Japanese destroyers placed in front of the bow superstructure. However, on subsequent types, designers refused such a placement. The second apparatus was located in the stern between the chimney and mainmast. Upon entry into service, the ship did not have any anti-submarine weapons. In 1932, this gap was corrected and the ship received two Type 88 bombers and two Type 3 bomb throwers with a stock of 36 depth charges. During the modernization of 1938, bombers were replaced on the destroyer (new type 94 bombers were installed) and a sonar type 93 and a hydrophone type 92 were placed. In March 1944, the ship was equipped with a type 13 radar.

Pre-War Service

After commissioning, the ship was included in the 22nd division of destroyers of the Second Flotilla of the Second Fleet. In October 1927, participated in the maneuvers of the United Fleet in the area between the Ryukyu and Bonin Islands (part of the “blue” compound). From December 1927 to September 1931, Satsuki was in reserve and was in Sasebo. In September-December 1931 in Sasebo, the fleet shipyard carried out ongoing repairs of the hull and mechanisms. In December 1931, the 22nd Division was included in the First Flotilla of the First Fleet. From January 26 to March 22, 1932, the ship participated in the First Shanghai Battle as part of the Third Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Kitisaburo Nomura . Satsuki acted near the mouth of the Yangtze River, providing fire support to the army units that fought for Shanghai .

March 22, 1932 the destroyer returned to Sasebo , where until September 1932 they carried out current repairs, installed anti-submarine weapons. At the end of September 1932, the destroyer returned to the operating fleet and until July 1933 was engaged in combat training in the area south of the island of Formosa . From August 21 to August 25, 1933, Satsuki took part in the naval parade at Yokohama . From August 1933 to September 1934 and from April 1936 to November 1937 the ship was listed in the reserve in Kura at the base of the fleet. The outbreak of war with China required the strengthening of the fleet and the destroyer was again returned to service. During 1938, the next repair and modernization was carried out at the fleet shipyard in Kura: hull structures were strengthened, anti-aircraft weapons were installed, equipment for detecting submarines, new bombers. After the repair, Satsuki became part of the 22nd division of the Fifth Flotilla of the Fourth Fleet. Until November 1941, the destroyer was engaged in combat training south of Fomroza ^[1] .

The initial period of the Pacific War

In November 1941, the destroyer, together with the 22nd division of the 5th destroyer squadron, was included in the First Surprise Connection of the North Philippine Support Detachment. In December, participated in the operation to capture the island of Luzon . During the operation, the ship escorted transports (47th, 48th infantry and 4th tank divisions), provided for their landing and provided fire support. At the end of December, the destroyer was included in the Second Escort Group of the Malay Operational Connection. In January 1942, he participated in the escort of ships, participated in the occupation of the Anambas archipelago, and ensured the advance of army units on Mersing. In the first half of February, it was based on Cam Ranh . At the end of February, as part of the Third Escort Group, he acted in guarding the convoy of the Main Forces of the Western Invasion Force on Java . On the night of February 28, he provided for the landing of units of the 16th army at Indramadzho (east of Batavia ). Then, until March 4, 1942, the destroyer patrolled off the northwestern coast of Java, providing fire support to army units.

In mid-March, the 5th destroyer squadron was disbanded and Satsuki, together with the 22nd Division, became part of the First Escort Group and participated in the transfer of the 18th Infantry Division from Penang to the Andaman Islands . Until February 1943, it was based in Singapore , entering the Fleet of the Southwest Region, and from November 20, 1942, the Third Fleet of the First Fleet. During this period, the destroyer provided military transport between Singapore, Penang, Borneo , Java, Sumatra and the Bismarck archipelago . In June 1942 he visited the Metropolis. In January 1943, together with the destroyers Nagatsuki and Fumitsuki, he accompanied the air transport of Kamikawa Maru from the Metropolis to the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Campaign

From February 1 to February 7, 1943, Satsuki participated in the evacuation of the Japanese garrison from the island of Guadalcanal three times. From late February to July 1943 it was based on Rabaul , providing convoy transfers. On the night of May 29, he received minor injuries, hitting the reef during a raid on Kolombangar . In June, the destroyer was included in the Second Transport Connection 1st rank captain Yamashiro and began to be actively used on flights of the Tokyo Express . So in early June, twice delivered reinforcements to Tuluva ( New Britain Island), at the end of June - to Kolomabangara. On July 2, as part of a detachment of destroyers, he took part in the shelling of Rendova Island.

On the night of July 6, 1943, he landed 2,800 people on the island of Kolombangara . from the army. During the operation, the ship took part in the battle in Kula Bay , and after it unsuccessfully tried to take the destroyer Nagatsuki from the shallows. After the battle, 22 battleship destroyer divisions became the flagship. On July 9, as part of a detachment of destroyers, 1,200 people and 85 tons of cargo were delivered to Kolombangar. On July 10–13, 1943, as part of Rear Admiral Izaki’s Transport Corps, he participated in an attempt to transfer reinforcements (400 people from 229 infantry regiments) to Kolomangara. In the battle at Kolombangar was not damaged.

On July 17, 1943, during an American air raid on Shortland Island, as a result of close bomb explosions, the destroyer hull in the engine room area received many holes, the starboard steam turbine unit failed, the stroke fell to 20 knots, and floodlight sites were destroyed. At the end of July 1943, the ship independently came to Truk . In early August, escorted the transition from Truk to the Metropolis of the aircraft carrier Tayo . Then, until the end of August, repairs and re-equipment took place in Kura. In September 1943 he returned to Rabaul and twice more participated in the evacuation of the Kolombangar garrison.

The final period of the war and the death of the ship

Since October, Satsuki was included in the Fourth Fleet Surface Escort Compound and he began to provide military transport in the central Pacific Ocean. On October 24, 1943, it was once again easily damaged, hitting the reef. November 9, participated in the rescue of the crew of the torpedoed transport Taga Maru . In November-December 1943, repairs were made at the shipyard in Sasebo. On January 4, 1944, in Kavieng, during a raid by American carrier-based aircraft from nearby bomb explosions on a ship, propeller shafts were bent, the course dropped to 24 knots, and the superstructure and hull were damaged. A few days later, the captain of the ship Iino died from his wounds. In January-early February, a torpedo carrier Unyo escorted from Saipan to Yokosuka. Then, repair and re-equipment took place in Sasebo.

After its completion, the destroyer was included in the First Connection escort ships. He escorted convoys between the Dutch East Indies and the Metropolis. In June, repair and re-equipment at the shipyard in Yokosuk was once again completed. On June 17-20, 1944, the destroyer, along with the battleships Fuso and Yamashiro, sailed from Davao to the sea to ensure the operations of the formation of Vice Admiral Ozawa . Then he escorted several convoys to the Philippines. September 21, 1944 in the Manila Bay, during a raid by American carrier-based aircraft, three bombs hit Satsuki , it broke and sank at a point with coordinates 52 crew members were killed, 15 injured.

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• Japan 4.7 "/ 45 (12 cm) 3rd Year Type 12 cm / 45 (4.7") 3rd Year Type 12 cm / 45 (4.7 ") 11th Year Type