The Japanese destroyer Asashimo of the Imperial Navy is at anchorage. Pacific Theater of Operations, World War II.
The Japanese destroyer Asashimo photo source: Kure Maritime Museum, Japanese Naval Warship Photo Album: Destroyers, edited by Kazushige Todaka, p. 113.
Location: Japan
Shooting time: November 27, 1943
Author: Shizuo Fukui 福井静夫
The Japanese destroyer Asashimo is a Japanese Yugumo-class destroyer.
Its name is translated from Japanese as “Morning Hoarfrost“.
Construction started at Fujinagata Shipyard, Osaka. Launched 18 July 1943, commissioned 27 November 1943. Participated in battles near the Mariana Islands.
On January 27, 1944, Captain 2nd Rank Sugihara was appointed commander of the Japanese destroyer Asashimo. Accompanying a convoy from Yokosuka to Truk between February 26 and March 8, 1944, the Asashimo took part in repelling the attacks of the “wolf pack” of American submarines. During the battle, he damaged the Rock submarine with artillery fire, and participated in the sinking of another American submarine, the Trout. He provided assistance to the torpedoed military transport Sakito Maru, from which about 1,720 people were rescued by the convoy escort ships.
June 19-20, 1944 – battle in the Philippine Sea, as part of the Vanguard of Vice Admiral Kurita. This is followed by participation in the Battle of the Philippines. October 23, 1944 – battle near the island of Palawan, rescue of the crew of the Atago cruiser, escort of the heavily damaged Takao to Brunei. October 31, 1944 – arrival in Manila to participate in the TA operation – the delivery of reinforcements to Omrok Bay. On November 10, 1944, Japanese destroyer Asashimo was the only surviving destroyer from the TA convoy No. 3, when Rear Admiral Hayakawa was killed during massive air attacks of the 58th Operational Force and the destroyers Hamanami, Naganami, Shimakaze were sunk and Wakatsuki.
In the period December 8-12, 1944 – convoy operations TA No. 4 and TA No. 3. December 24-27, 1944 – participation in the last operation in Philippine waters: shelling of the American bridgehead in San Jose, rendering assistance and rescuing 167 survivors with Kiyaoshima. However, the exit to Okinawa (on the last Yamato campaign) was the last for Captain 2nd Rank Sugihara and his ship. On April 7, 1945, the Japanese destroyer Asashimo, which had fallen behind the order due to an accident, was attacked by aircraft from aircraft carriers of the 58th Task Force (TF58). The destroyer, left alone, died with the entire crew 150 miles southwest of Nagasaki.