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  Shigure
IJN
Shiratsuyu Class Destroyer

1,980 Tons
107.5m x 9.9m x 3.5m
5 × 130 mm guns
21 × 25 mm AA guns
4 × 13 mm AA guns
8 × 24" torpedo tubes
16 depth charges

Ship History
Built by Uraga Dock Company in Uraga. Laid down December 9, 1933. Launched May 18, 1935 as Shigure meaning "autumn shower" in Japanese. Commissioned September 7, 1936 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) under the command of Commander Noboru Seo. Assigned to the First Fleet, Desron 1, Destroyer Division 27 (Desdiv 27) as the flagship with Ariake, Shiratsuyu and Yūgure.

Wartime History
During December 1941 at the start of the Pacific War, Destroyer Division 27 (Desdiv 27) operates off Japan guarding battleships and performing anti-submarine patrols. On December 18, 1941 departs Tokuyama to meet the Combined Fleet returning from the attack against Pearl Harbor and Oahu and escorts them to Hashirijima five days later.

On January 18, 1942 with Shiratsuyu escorts a convoy from Moji to Formosa then back to Kure arriving February 4, 1942. On February 17, 1942 with Shiratsuyu escorts Zuiho from Yokosuka to Davao and to Hashirijima. On April 15, 1942 departs Sasebo to Mako to meet aircraft carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku to Truk arriving ten days later.

On May 7, 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea escorts the Japanes striking force under the command of Admiral Takagi. On May 13, 1942 with Shiratsuyu escorts Myoko and Haguro as distant cover during the Ocean Ilsand and Nauru Island occupation force but the operation was suspended when a U.S. carrier force was detected in the area.On May 17, 1942 escorts to Truk then north to Kure. On June 4, 1942 escorts the Aleutians Guard Force during the Battle of Midway.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On November 12, 1942 destroyers Shigure, Shiratsuyu, and Yūgure serve as a rear guard off the Russell Islands for the Japanese bombardment force under the command of Vice Admiral Hiroaki Abe. On November 13, 1942 after the first phase of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal supports Hiei during U.S. air attacks and rescues survivors. Afterwards, northward to Truk arriving November 18, 1942.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On April 16, 1943 departs Truk with Hibiki, escorting Chuyo and Taiyo.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On October 6, 1943 during the night part of a destroyer force was sent to rescue the remaining Japanese from Horaniu on the northern tip of Vella Lavella Island. The force includes three destroyer-transports: Fumizuki, Matsukaze, and Yūnagi escorted by six destroyers Akigumo, Isokaze, Kazagumo, Yūgumo, Shigure and Samidare. At 11:30pm, the Japanese force spotted three U.S. Navy (USN) destroyers: USS Selfridge (DD-357), USS Chevalier (DD-451) and USS O'Bannon approaching from Vella Gulf. During the Naval Battle of Vella Lavella, Yūgumo was hit and sunk. USS Chevalier (DD-451) was hit by a torpedo and abandoned and later scuttled with both USS O'Bannon and Selfridge damaged. The battle was considered a Japanese victory as they sustained less damage and were able to complete their evacuation mission.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On January 4, 1944 departed Yokosuka with Harusame escorting Irako bound for Truk.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On June 2, 1944 departed on a troop transport run to Biak, serving as an escort, but the run was aborted when detected by Allied aircraft and instead on June 4, 1944 arrived at Sorong.

On June 8, 1944, attempted the troop transport run for Biak. After the sinking of Harusame by B-25 Mitchells, Shigure rescued 110 survivors including Lieutenant Commander Tomita. Engaged Allied cruiser-destroyer group and suffers minor damage from two shell hits, seven dead and 15 injured. Afterwards, withdraws to Sorong then Batjan before arriving at Davao on June 12, 1944.

PARTIAL HISTORY

Sinking History
On March 10, 1945 sunk into the Gulf of Siam (Gulf of Thailand) off Indochina (Vietnam).

References
Combined Fleet - IJN Shigure: Tabular Record of Movement

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Last Updated
November 7, 2023

 

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