IJN Campaign - notes and infos

keltos01 · 09-30-08, 03:43 AM

Gilbert Islands :

21 november 1943 : news of success against Tarawa, and against Makin in the Gilberts, was shocking to the japanese high command.
Circunmstances did not allow the deployment of regular navy forces, submarines from truk and Kwajalein were tasked with attacking US forces.

There were only nine submarines available : I-19, I-21,I-35, I-39, I-40, I-169, I-174, I-175 and RO-38.
due to constant picket line shifting, six of the original nine were sunk...

On 23 November, the Japanese submarine I-175 arrived off Makin. The temporary task group built around Rear Admiral H.M. Mullinnix's three escorts, Liscome Bay, USS Coral Sea and USS Corregidor commanded by Rear Admiral Robert M. Griffin in USS New Mexico was steaming 20 miles southwest of Butaritari Island at 15 knots.

There was no warning of a submarine in the area until about 0510 when a lookout shouted: "Here comes a torpedo!" The torpedo struck abaft of the after engine room and hit the aircraft bomb stockpile, causing a major explosion engulfing the entire vessel and sending shrapnel out 5,000 yards.

USS Liscorme Bay

Due to the heavy casualties suffered by the IJN submarines, the operation was halted 4 December 1943.

09-30-08, 03:43 AM	#25
keltos01 Silent Hunter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Milan Italy Posts: 4,999 Downloads: 114 Uploads: 18	The Gilbert Islands Gilbert Islands : 21 november 1943 : news of success against Tarawa, and against Makin in the Gilberts, was shocking to the japanese high command. Circunmstances did not allow the deployment of regular navy forces, submarines from truk and Kwajalein were tasked with attacking US forces. There were only nine submarines available : I-19, I-21,I-35, I-39, I-40, I-169, I-174, I-175 and RO-38. due to constant picket line shifting, six of the original nine were sunk... On 23 November, the Japanese submarine I-175 arrived off Makin. The temporary task group built around Rear Admiral H.M. Mullinnix's three escorts, Liscome Bay, USS Coral Sea and USS Corregidor commanded by Rear Admiral Robert M. Griffin in USS New Mexico was steaming 20 miles southwest of Butaritari Island at 15 knots. There was no warning of a submarine in the area until about 0510 when a lookout shouted: "Here comes a torpedo!" The torpedo struck abaft of the after engine room and hit the aircraft bomb stockpile, causing a major explosion engulfing the entire vessel and sending shrapnel out 5,000 yards. USS Liscorme Bay Due to the heavy casualties suffered by the IJN submarines, the operation was halted 4 December 1943. __________________ "Honorable Builder of Sinking Ships" Last edited by keltos01; 09-30-08 at 08:48 AM.