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| IJN Type C 46 Tons (surfaced) 47 Tons (submerged) 81' 8" x 6' 1" x 11' 2" 2 x 18" Type 2 torpedo (Tubes empty)    Kevin Denlay 1992     Marc Montocchio 2001 |
Sub History Built by 'P' Naval Armory (Ōurasaki) during 1943 as the 52nd Type A midget submarine completed, then rebuilt as as one of five Type B Midget Submarine (Tokugata Unkato): HA-49, HA-50, HA-51, HA-52 and HA-53. Wartime History Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) HA-52 was assigned to Lt Nishi Hitoshi. Too heavy to be lifted aboard a merchant using their derricks, the submarines would instead be towed to Rabaul. On October 9, 1943 departs Yokosuka towed by a merchant vessel in "convoy no. 3009B" including Hokuyo Maru, Shinyo Maru, Eiko Maru No. 2 and possibly other vessels. The convoy arrives at Truk on October 20, 1943. Departs Truk on October 23, 1943 as part of "convoy no. 1232" Rabaul at Rabaul on October 28, 1943. On January 25, 1944 at 6:00pm departs Rabaul towed by Kizugawa Maru bound for Palau as part of "convoy O-510" including Hasshu Maru, Hinode Maru, Kibi Maru, Kizugawa Maru, Macassar Maru, Mito Maru, Yakumo Maru, Sanko Maru, Tasmania Maru, Yakumo Maru and Shinto Maru No. 1 escorted by destroyer Harukaze, minesweeper W-17 and Tama Maru No. 7. On February 6, 1944 arrives at Palau and this midget submarine was transfered to Sanko Maru. On February 12, 1944 departs Palau towed by Sanko Maru as part of Convoy SO-903 with Tatsukiku Maru, Shinto Maru No. 1 escorted by subchasers CH-22, CH-39 and CHA-16 bound for Rabaul. During the voyage, Sanko Maru towing HA-52 escorted by subchaser CH-39 detaches from the convoy off Mussau Island and proceeds towards Kavieng. Sinking History On February 16, 1944 the Sanko Maru towing HA-52 escorted by CH-39 were off Three Island Harbor on the northeast of New Hanover when spotted and attacked by B-25 Mitchells from 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG), 500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS) strafe and sink Sanko Maru and damage HA-52. Later that afternoon, the same B-25 return and again strafe CH-39 causing it to explode and strafe and bomb HA-52 claiming it as sunk. The Japanese claim they scuttled the Midget Submarine after the B-25 attacks. On February 17, 1944 the B-25s return and claim the midget submarine was still on the surface and was again bombed, strafed and claimed as sunk. Fate of the Crew During the first strafing attack, Lt Nishi Hitoshi managed to escape the midget submarine and was rescued by CH-39 before it ran aground and was later sunk. He survived its sinking, swam ashore on New Hanover and was later rescued and transported to Rabaul arriving on March 2, 1944. At Rabaul, he was promoted to a full Lieutenant and served as 86th Guard Unit as a Butai commander until the end of the Pacific War. Shipwreck This submarine sank upright on a sandy bottom at a depth of 20m, roughly 50m from Sanko Maru. During 1987, discovered MV Telita SCUBA divers Bob Haldstead and Kevin Baldwin while diving the Sanko Maru nearby. When discovered, the propellers were tied together and tie-down tackle attached, indicating it was sunk while being towed. Both bow torpedo tubes were empty. The conning tower entry hatch was open and the interior empty. Clark Anderson reports: "Kevin Baldwin, the owner/captain of the Tiata, told me he knows a guy who actually contacted one of the crew of the mini-sub and got the story of what happened that day. I have seen pictures of this raid in Warpath Across the Pacific. You can clearly see the mini-sub on the surface next to the burning freighter, the picture taken from the tail of the B-25 that did the bombing run. The mini-sub is sunk in exactly the same position as seen in the photograph. Kevin told me he saw that the props were still tied together when he first dove on the wreck in the 1970s. I looked but couldn't tell, but, hey, there's 60 years of growth on there. I could barely make out one of the prop blades. The tie-down tackle is clearly visible on the bow and stern, though." References Some sources say the midget had just been taken off a mother submarine. It was to be provisioned, then put back on the mother sub to be deployed, this is incorrect. Combined Fleet - Midget Submarines in the Bismarcks 1943-1944 Thanks to Kevin Denlay for additional information Contribute
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