|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| IJN Kaiten 8.3 Tons 48' 5" x 3' 3" 1,550 kg warhead contact electric fuze  USN November 1944 |
Pilot ? (KIA) Sunk November 20, 1944 Sub History Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a Kaiten manned suicide torpedo based on the Type 93 torpedo. On November 6, 1944 at Otsujima Naval Base at Tokuyama Bay embarked aboard either I-36 or I-47. On November 8, 1944 departs as part of the "Kikusui Group" (Floating Chrysanthemum Group) bound for Ulithi Atoll. By November 19, 1944 both I-36 and I-47 reach the launch area at the entrance to Mugai Channel off the eastern entrance of Urushi Lagoon. Mission History On November 20, 1944 between 3:28am to 3:42am I-47 launched her four of her Kaiten including Kaiten No. 1 piloted by Lt(jg) Nishina Sekio co-inventor of the Kaiten who had aboard the ashes of the other co-creator, Lt. Hiroshi Kuroki who died in a training accident. Kaiten No. 2 piloted by Ensign Sato Akira, Kaiten No. 3 piloted Ensign Watanabe Kozo and Kaiten No. 4 pilot Lt(jg) Fukuda Hitoshi. Meanwhile, I-36 launched Kaiten No. 4 piloted by Ensign Taichi Imanichi. Her other three Kaiten are unable to launch due to malfunctions. This Kaiten failed to enter Urushi Lagoon and impacted the fringing coral reef and exploded. It is unclear if it accidentally or deliberately grounded on the reef, or if the explosion was triggered by the impact or a deliberate attempt to self-destruct the Kaiten. At 5:45am one Kaiten hit USS Mississinewa (AO-59). It is generally believed to have been Kaiten No. 1 piloted by Lt(jg) Nishina Sekio. Wreckage Afterwards, the wreckage of this Kaiten was photographed by the U.S. Navy. It is unknown if the Kaiten was salvaged or left on the reef. References Naval History and Heritage Command "Beans, Bullets, and Black Oil The Story of Fleet Logistics Afloat in the Pacific During World War II" pages page 262 (photo), 263 "...two explosions on the reef indicated the presence of other midgets" Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Kaiten |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
