IJN Shimakaze (1942)

IJN 1st class Destroyer built 1942-44

IJN Shimakaze (島風, “Island Wind”) was an experimental destroyer intended as the “Type C” of the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was the lead ship in a projected class of “super destroyer”, complementary to the “Type B” that were the AA destroyers of the Akizuki class. She was superlative, the only destroyer ever built worldwide with 15 torpedo tubes, all able to fire the mighty “Long Lance” torpedo. Furthermore, she was also the testbed for a new high-temperature, high-pressure steam turbine in order to deliver 79,240 shp (59,090 kW) for a top speed of 39 knots and 41 knots on trials. Her main and AA armaments were also above and beyond the norm. This made IJN Shimakaze, which class was cancelled due to shifting priorities, alone in her type, but a fascinating topic, showing what an IJN destroyer could have been at the end of WW2. Like the Fubuki in the 1920s, she was intended to retake the lead, to be much superior to contemporary US and RN Destroyers.

Development

The Japanese Navy in 1941 saw the new “Type A” destroyers following the long line of “special types” since the Fubuki, were initially planned to reach 39 knots but strength compromises led to decreased speeds up to 36 knots at best, and 30-33 in combat conditions. The IJN staff thus wanted a return to a really fast type of destroyer, very high-speed, and with powerful torpedo armament, to be placed again at the pinnacle of fleet destroyers, but intended to the kind of torpedo-first night combat that was still in the doctrine of the time.

Until the appearance of the Shimakaze-class, the greater top speed ever met was 40.698 knots, set by the first Minekaze-class destroyer in the 1920s. Later destroyers were generally designed for around 35 knots. Next, it was prioritized extending the cruising range, while strengthening armaments and hulls. After 1937 Japan tore down all restrictions from existing treaties, the Washington Naval Treaty and withdrawn from the London Naval Treaty. So by 1939 a new ship with a speed set to 40 knots was to be experimentally built. The Kagero-class already met the required standards for torpedoes, the Japanese Navy intel bureau, before Pearl Harbor, passed on the information that the US Navy managed to reach 38 knots or more on sea trials on its latest destroyers. Furthermore, the new generation of US battleships planned and constructed such as the North Carolina-class, South Dakota-class, Iowa-class, Montana-class, were all fast with speeds from 27 to 33 knots. So to keep a combat margin of at least 8 knots, setting the bar to 40 knots or more became a prerequisite of design.

IJN Shimakaze was originally ordered in 1939, under the 4th Naval Armaments Supplement Programme, and later ordered at Maizuru Naval Arsenal. Under the 1941 5th Naval Armaments Supplement Programme, no less than sixteen Shimakaze-class destroyers were budgeted, with long term plans for 32 destroyers of this class in total, enough to equip four destroyer squadrons. But given her overcomplicated design, lack of industrial capacity and especially, resources as the Pacific War was not going according to plan, led to the cancellation of the whole program. Construction shifted essentially to ASW escorts on one hand, and aircraft carriers on the others. IJN Yards were busy repairing ships, completing late cruisers, completing the Yugumo (or Type A) and build the already massive Akizuki class or Type B destroyers. Given the rampage exerted by US submarines in the Pacific, managing to sever all links to the home islands, such a plan was in 1944, a fantasy.

The Shimakaze-class destroyer was to be the next generation of 1st rate fleet destroyers, and summarily specified as “stretched Yugumos” but with a hull housing new engines rated for 75,890 horsepower in test, for a high speed of 40.9 knots (about 75.6 km/h) on trials, plus the heaviest torpedo armament ever planned, made of three quintuple torpedo tubes. Due to changes in tactics, the time of night torpedo warfare expired after the loss of Guadalcanal. The new ships would require a time-consuming production, so the mass production plan was abandoned, all resources shifted to complete instead the Akizuki-class destroyers and Tei-class (Matsu-class) destroyers. The latter (called also the D-Type) were intended to counter the US submarine threat, while the high-end Akizuki were intended to escort the new Unryu class fleet carriers that were in construction at the same time.

Indeed, Plan 5 called for the construction of 16 Shimakaze-class ships (No. 733 to No. 748), but due to several reasons it petered out for the following reasons:
-The fact that the new Shimakaze engines were not suitable for mass production
-Resouces reallocated in emergency on the Matsu-class destroyers having AA and ASW capabilities at a much cheaper cost
-The construction of the Akizuki-class destroyers, prioritized for larger destroyers
-Torpedo combat was no longer the priority in 1943
-The worsening war situation in general, with a lack of resources altogether and lack of space in shipyards.
All this resulted in only a single Shimakaze-class destroyer ever built. The February 1941 naval plan looked instead for a large deployment of Type B destroyers (Akizuki-class) as escorts both for the Yamato-class battleships, modified Yamato-class battleships, and new aircraft carrier task forces composed of the armoured and unarmoured carriers of the Taiho and Unryu class respectively. In addition, Kai-5 Plan also called for eight destroyers of the Type A, with the same armament and performance as the Shimakaze, until replaced by extra Yūgumo-class destroyers, No. 5041 to Ship No. 5048, which were eventually cancelled.

Name:

The name Shimakaze (島風, “Island Wind”) was already used by a Minekaze-class destroyers. This first Shimakaze also recorded the fastest speed of a Japanese destroyer at the time, 40.7 knots, with others in the class rated for 39 knots. The second Shimakaze was named after her.
After the war, the second Hatakaze-class destroyer of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force was also called “Shimakaze”, when commissioned in 1988. So the tradition goes on, with a fourth planned for the 2020s+.

Design of the class

Shimakaze was based on a lengthened Yugumo design, with an additional 25 feet to mount an additional quintuple torpedo launcher, returning to the three sported by the Fubuki class. The additional weight caused this redesign to be top-heavy, so no torpedo reloads were carried. It was soon clear however that three quintuple mounts, that could be trained to either port or starboard, broke the record for a World War II destroyer. As torpedoes were still carried in the Cold War, but never in such extent, the record still holds today. With missiles replacing torpedoes, notably now in VLS, there is certainly no plan to ever return one day to such arrangement ever.

Hull and general design

Shimakaze was the largest destroyer ever built before the apparition of the Akizuki. The hull measured 129.5 m (424 ft 10 in) overall, and 126 m (413 ft 5 in) at the wartlime. Their only match would be French “contre-torpilleurs”. In beam they were 11.2 m (36 ft 9 in) to keep a 1/12 hull ratio favourable to speed. The draft was of 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in). This made for an even more elongated hull than the Yugumos, in order to use the best of the power plant’s output. However, that was detrimental to stability.

Design-wise, the main difference was this extra section added aft of the second TT bank to integrate an extra TT bank. The silhouette otherwise was still very close to the original Yugumo. The general shapes for the hull were the same, albeit the prow was even more slanted and more “clipper-style”. The hull lines were made even finer. The decks were strengthened to accept the weight of the heavier torpedo mounts. Otherwise, the bridge was the same as for the Yugumo, as well a tripod pasts fore and aft, two raked funnels, with the forward one truncated. The artillery was the same as the Yumgumos. Overall, this was a less radical design than the much larger Akizuki, more realistic for mass production. It’s only problem was that in 1943, the days of torpedo attacks were behind. The main dangers came from the air and underseas.

Powerplant

The use of high-temperature, high-pressure boilers (steam pressure 40 kg/cm2, steam temperature 400°C) of the Kagero-class destroyer IJN Amatsukaze, seemed very promising, and this was adopted for the Shimakaze-class. During full-power sea trials on April 7, 1943, Shimakaze recorded 40.90 knots, on a displacement of 2,894 tons over an output of 79,240 horsepower. However, the displacement was 1/3 of what would be required for standard combat load sea trials, as 1/3 of the load was fuel and other consumable like ammunition. Shimakaze’s displacement was still one tenth that of a Yamato-class battleship, but her horsepower was half her output, so a very impressive power to weight ratio indeed.
Sea trials at full power, but normal draft on 7 April 1943 at 2,910t was 75,890 hp for 40.37 kts.
Trials with overload full power the same day at 2,894t was 79,240 hp for 40.90 knots, the best ever recorded.
Final sea trials with normal load on 5 May 1943 at 3,040t on 76,010 hp was 39.9 kts, so a bit better than standard combat top speed (39 kts)

Armament

12.7 cm/45 3rd Year Type naval gun

The 12.7 cm/50 Type 3 naval gun was a dual-purpose model and standard weapon for Japanese destroyers from 1928 and until 1944 except for the Akizuki and Matsu classes. These were now true dual-purpose, with a modified mount, albeit having still bag propellant, they now had powered ramming. Training speed was only 6° per second. However, up to the last days of 1945, they lacked radar-assisted fire control and fuses, severely limiting their AA capabilities as well. As AA guns they were slow, and only were used as long range, when an enemy formation was seen approaching. They were given special “shotgun” or “beehive” types ammunitions that spread a lot shrapnel on a large area at the incoming aircraft. These new DP guns had another advantage, in later upgrades this alleviates the need for sacrificing a turret (unlike on the Kagero class) in order to add extra AA, albeit there were increases of these anyway.

The Type 3 gun was of built-up construction with 3, then 2 layers, breech ring and breech bush (Welin interrupted screw breech) and still used powder bags, whereas the shell was fuzed manually on the loading tray before ramming by hand with the pusher-type shell hoist and manually inserted powder bags.

Model C:

Adopted by the Shiratsuyu, Asashio, and Kagerō-class, elevation to 55°, depression to −7°.
Mount weight: Type A/B 18.5 tonnes (18.2 long tons; 20.4 short tons)
Round: 23 kg (51 lb) HE, illumination, incendiary shrapnel (sankaidan) for AA use, flat-nosed ASW (1943). 1945: HE developed with added charge for 23,025 metres (25,180 yd).
Propellant: 7.7 kg (17 lb) 30 DC.
Muzzle velocity:
-Common Type 0 HE 23 kg (51 lb)/1.88 kg (4.1 lb): 910–915 m/s (2,986–3,002 ft/s)
-Common Type 1 HE 23 kg (51 lb)/1.88 kg (4.1 lb): 910–915 m/s (2,986–3,002 ft/s)
-Illumination 23 kg (51 lb): 750 m/s (2,500 ft/s)
-ASW 20.9 kg (46 lb)/4 kg (8.8 lb): 250 m/s (820 ft/s)
-HE 1945 LG type 27.9 kg (62 lb)/2.2 kg (4.9 lb): 910–915 m/s (2,986–3,002 ft/s)

Torpedoes: Quintuple Tubes

The torpedo armament was an attempt to retake the lead in destroyer design worldwide. The Zero-type quintuple surface launcher were brand new, developed specifically for the Shimakaze-class. It was also considered for the latter modified Suzuya-class heavy cruiser Ibuki (which was eventually cancelled and converted as an aircraft carrier). It was not planned however a reloading and so spare torpedoes unlike on previous destroyers. This was judged as an additional weight and problem for stability as well as a wartime lesson showed it was complication and torpedo reload was rarely done in battle. Initially, the plan however called for two quintuple torpedoes, and reloads, but because it was impossible to rotate them manually in an emergency, it was changed to three quintuple torpedoes without reload.

These Type 92 launchers were traversed by electro-hydraulic gears to 360° in 25 seconds. There was a backup manual system using handwheels and a reduction, but this took up to two minutes for the same revolution. The eight reloads as seen above used systems of cranes and winches, rails and chariots to help the reloading process. Intensive drills ensure the best reloading times. The spare torpedoes were stored externally in canisters. Each tube could be reloaded separately in 23 seconds through an endless wire and winch, all manual. The Type 93 torpedo benefited of large stockpiles available, and they remained extremely potent until 1945.

Type 93 (1933)

The Type 93 entered service in 1933 (model 1) and the ships were possibly rearmed in 1935-36 or never, it’s not strictly confirmed. The Type 90 could have been installed instead when available.
61 cm Type 93 torpedo found on the Mutsuki, Fubuki, Akatsuki classes, and all oxygen fuelled from the Hatsuhara and beyond. The Designer was Rear Admiral Kaneji Kishimoto, and Captain Toshihide Asakuma, and this started in 1928 (just as the last Mutsuki class ships were completed), then went on until 1932. The Type 93 became the notorious “secret weapon” unleashed by IJN destroyers and cruisers in WW2, which caused extensive damage during the Solomons campaign especially. The defective US Type 14 torpedo was in stark contrast with this. The Type 93 torpedo was dangerous to its user however but its effectiveness outweighed the risks anyway, claiming 23 Allied warships, 11 cruisers, 11 destroyers, and a fleet aircraft carrier and among these, 13 hits were fatal.

25 mm Type 96

The type 96 25 mm AT/AA gun became the standard of the IJA and IJN, an automatic cannon developed as a variant of the French Hotchkiss 25 mm, dual-purpose and developed as AA on single, twin and triple mounts. Development worked on 1935. 25 mm Hotchkiss design evaluated and order placed for several mounts types for evaluation at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. It led to the Type 94 and Type 95 and then the main model produced at Yokosuka Arsenal, the Type 96.
Elements made with castings and not forging for larger production, Rheinmetall suppressor, new mounts designed.
Air-cooled gas operated with multiple rings (Hotchkiss patent).
Twin-mount in 1939, followed by triple mount in 1941 and single mount in 1943.
Issues of the designed revealed in combat:
Slow elevation and traverse, ineffective sights, excessive vibration, limited magazine cap., blinding Flashes.
The 1944 single mount needed a single operator and a loader, but had a better spiderweb sight.

13.2 mm Type 93 heavy machine gun

The Type 93 13 mm (0.55 inches) heavy machine gun (九三式十三粍機銃), Type Ho 13 mm AA machine cannon was a license-built version of the French Hotchkiss M1930 machine gun. It was widely used for heavy ground support and organic for AA defence, until gradually replaced when possible by the 25 mm Type 96. They were still in use, on twin mounts, on many IJN cruisers and destroyers before WW2 but gradually replaced when possible, notably by single 25 mm mounts due to unsufficient range and firepower.

The common twin mount in 1941

Depth Charges

This class carried like the previous destroyer some thirty-six depth charges in two racks at the stern, including the four launchers.
The single Type 81 depth charge launcher at the stern could allow dropping the standard Type 95, 30.5″ by 17.7″ (77.5cm by 45cm). 220 lb (100 kg) charge, Type 88 explosive (ammonium perchlorate and ferrosilicate). Fuse using a water inlet. 100 feet (30m) and 200 feet (60m) settings (after the revelations of a US Congressman).
Later increased to 324 lb (147kg), Type 97 explosive (70% TNA/30% HNDA), 300 foot (90m) setting.
-1944 Type 2: 230 lbs (105kg) Type 97 explosive settings 98, 197, 292, 390, 480 feet (30m, 60m, 89m, 120m, and 145m).
-1945 Type 2: 357 lbs (162kg) explosives.

Sensors

Shimakaze was equipped with a No. 22 surface radar on the forward mast when completed. Later a No. 13 radar was installed on the aft mast to cover dead angles.

Type 3 Sonar

These ships came equipped with sonar. This was the Type 93 sonar coupled with the Type 93 hydrophones as integrated. They were inferior however to allied designs.
The Type 93 model 3 sonar was a derivative of Model 1, used on destroyers since 1933. It used a retractable quartz projector for transmission and reception and had a nonretractable sound dome measuring 1.9m by 0.65m (6’3″ by 2’2″).

Specs

Frequency: 17.5 kHz
Receiver gain: 120 decibels
Pulse repetition interval: 2, 4, or 8 seconds
Power: 2 kW
Ranges: 1640-3300-6600 yards (1500m-3000m-6000m)
Accuracy: 3 degrees
Resolution: 10 degrees
Weight: 4400 lbs (2000 kg)

Type 22 radar

The Type 22 radar wasa availble from November 1943, and by late 1944, it started to be replaced by the Type 13 radar.
The early Type 22 General Purpose Radar looks like characteristically like a 2910 lb (1320 kg) drum topped with a twin cornet amplificators, mounted mid-way top the mast.

Type 22 radar Specs:

Wavelength 10 cm, pwd 10 microsecond, PRF 2500 Hz, scan rate 5 rpm, PP 2 kW
Range: 20 nautical miles (35 km) aircraft group, 10 nm (17 km) single, 13 nm(24 km) battleship.
Subject to land clutter. Horn and A scope display, accuracy 220 yards (200m)/3 degrees res. 1600 yards (1500 m)/40 degrees
300 sets produced installed on destroyers from the summer 1942. Generalized in 1944.

Type 13 radar

Vertical 240 lb(110 kg) bedframe antenna, developed 1941, introduced mi-1943, with vertical dipole transmitter and Yagi mattress receiver. 1000 sets produced. Air defense, range 100 km (group), and single aircraft 50km.
Specs:
Wavelength 200 cm, pw 10 ms, PRF 500 Hz PP 10 kW
Range: 30-60 nautical miles (50-100 km)

Changes

The Early 1944 Refit saw the complement of AA guns raised to sixteen Type 96, 25mm anti-aircraft guns, four triple and two twin, increased in June to 28, the remainder being single mounts.
The depth charge capacity was raised to 36.
The twin 13mm machine guns installed in front of the bridge when completed were swapped indeed to twin 25mm guns, with the existing twin 25mm guns being replaced by triple 25mm guns. A machine gun mount was also installed between the No. 2 and No. 3 torpedo tubes, and two more triple 25mm guns were installed. According to the 30 June 1944 “Survey on the Status of Weapon Additions after Operation A”, Single AA guns of the Type 96, seven in all, were added, as well as a single 13mm single gun. There also two sets of depth charge tracks to reach the 36 required.

General appearance and colors in 1943 (model kit art)

Career of IJ Shimakaze

On sea trials in April-May 1943, colorized by Irootoko Jr (ref bottom)

On August 8, 1941 (Showa 16), INJ Shimakaze was laid down at Maizuru Naval Arsenal. This was its 125th ship. By May 15, 1942 she was named “Shimakaze” and registered but without a ship type precise in the Classification Table as she was experimental. On July 18, she was launched and, the same day, registered in the Kure Naval District. On March 20, 1943 Commander Hiroshi Hirose. He was captain the former XO of Harusame, and later Oyashio when she sank, so he was dismissed from his position and instead degraded as completion chief of Shimakaze. Various tests were conducted in April, but her new turbines were proved finicky. The scheduled completion date was postponed., until May 10, when she handed over to the Navy. The same day, outfitter’s office was removed. Hirose became her first commanding officer (CO) and was assigned Captain Yoshiji Osako as chief engineer.

After completion, Shimakaze joined the 11th Torpedo Squadron, a training unit established for destroyers crews, notably to maintain skills of crew which ships were in repairs or modernization. It was attached to the First Fleet. On May 12, Shimakaze was sent to Katsurashima Anchorage to train with other DDs, Yugumos mostly. She departed Hashirashima with Tamanami on May 21, proceeded to Yokosuka on May 23 and after maintenance, departed on the 27th to transport troops to Paramushir, home base of the Northern Force via Musashi Bay on May 30. After completing her mission, she departed back for Hashirashima Anchorage, via Yokosuka (June 2), Katsurashima (June 4) and went on training with Tatsuta, Tamami and Wakatsuki. On June 8, while training at Hashirashima, she witnessed the explosion of IJN Mutsu and engaged in rescue operations under command of RADM Susumu Kimura from Tatsuta.
During training in the Seto Inland Sea she was to test torpedoes but Rear Admiral Masafuku Kimura, commander of the 1st Torpedo Squadron, decided to press her in the Northern Operation instead, so she sailed to Kure, prepared for departure on the 19th for the Aleutian Islands. The evacuation of Kiska was to be led by the 5th Fleet and by mid-June under Rear Admiral Kimura, 1st Torpedo Squadron, it was decided to send as a vanguard the radar-equipped Shimakaze. The 5th Fleet also wanted more destroyers and wtote the following

“(…) Furthermore, in consideration of the difficulty of operating in fog, Admiral I of the Fleet is considering boarding a radar-equipped destroyer and leading the charge. Therefore, if possible, special consideration should be given to the temporary incorporation of Shimakaze.”

Combined Fleet CiC after the death of Yamamoto, Admiral Mineichi Koga, notified the Northern Fleet to assigned Shimakaze as planned on June 17, the order was conformed on the 27th and she was officially ready for operation on July 1 with Commander Kimura intended to make her the flagship of the torpedo squadron.

On July 5, Shimakaze arrived at Paramushiro and soon departed to take part in Operation Ke with the cruiser force (Abukuma, Kiso) and destroyer force (9th Destroyer Squadron (Asagumo, Usugumo), 10th Destroyer Squadron (Akigumo, Yugumo, Kazegumo, Hibiki) under Colonel Yoshimura Masatake; patrol destroyer force (21st Destroyer Squadron (Wakaba, Hatsushimo), Shimakaze, Naganami, Samidare) under Colonel Amano Shigetaka and a supply force (Nihon Maru, Kunashiri), emergency receiving force (Kurita Maru).
Shimakaze was the only one with Abukuma, and Kiso to have a radar, but the former was only usable for lookout and surveillance, not to estimate range. All participating cruisers and destroyers were also camouflaged but she was not (or at least no photo survived to show the detail).

The first evacuation from Kiska Island was in progress since July 7, but cancelled on the 15th, with the main force led by IJN Nachi, flag, CiC 5th Fleet, as well as Maya, Tama, Nokaze, Namikaze and the evacuation force returned to Paramushir on the 18th. The 5th Fleet HQ contested the decision of the 1st TS to cancel this operation. The latter considered Commander Kimura’s actions to be appropriate. Captain Hirose submitted an opinion to Commander Kimura (flag IJN Abukuma) and negotiations with the 5th HQ with captains of Shimakaze and Samidare also supported Commander Kimura’s decision and protested against 5th Fleet opposition.
On July 22, the 1st TS under RADM Kimura Masafuku gathered forces (Abukuma, Kiso, Shimakaze, Hibiki, Asagumo, Usugumo, Naganami, Akigumo, Yugumo, Kazegumo, Wakaba, Hatsushimo, and Samidare) with the flagship IJN Tama, CIC 5th Fleet aboard, and refueling force (Kunashiri, Nippon Maru) sailing out from from Paramushiri. On July 26 there was a multiple collision accident involving Kunashiri, Abukuma, Hatsushimo, Wakaba, and Naganami due to dense fog. Shimakaze was in the 5th position in line and avoided danger to her right. Damage forced Wakaba to return to port, and Hatsushimo was transferred to escort the damaged Nippon Maru. The command of the DesDiv 21 was transferred to Shimakaze. The 4th Division was divided into 1st Platoon (Shimakaze, Samidare), 2nd Platoon (Oganami), supply troop escort (Hatsushimo) and on July 29, the evacuation force entered Kiska Island. At 11:50, the 51st Base Force reported hearing a ship at a distance in the fog, and Shimakaze radar picked a contact in the mouth of Kiska harbor, possibly a US destroyer on patrol. At 13:00 while expecting an encounter, a ship silhouette was identified, with the crew of Shimakaze firing torpedoes, as Abukuma. But this was a terrible error. This was the steamer Kojimazaki off Kokiska Island. Later both transport Squadrons entered Kiska harbor and later withdrew to Paramushiro until August 1 with 5,183 troops, including 2,518 Navy personnel, 2,669 Army personnel. 30 remained behind as scouts/snipers when the US returned.

With the end of Operation Ke, all ships returned to their original units by August 3, Shimakaze leaving the Northern Force for the Seto Inland Sea on August 6 while hearing about the Battle of Vella Gulf, New Georgia Islands. Hagikaze, Arashi, and Kamikaze for the first time were lost to radar fire. Shimakaze conducted training with her radar to lead the 11th Torpedo Squadron, but was transferred to the 2nd TS on July 10.
On September 15, she moved to the western Inland Sea to Yokosuka and departed with IJN Naganami to escort Chōkai and Maya to Truk. Shimakaze left Naganami on September 20, then Truk the following day to escort IJN Taiyo to Yokosuka. On September 24, Taiyo was torpedoed by USS Cabrilla and disabled. Shimakaze rescued 8 crew members and used her depth charges to drive off Cabrilla, reporting her sunk. Taiyo was towed by Okiyo, escorted by Shimakaze, Sazanami and Shiratsuyu, back to Yokosuka on the 26th.

On October 1, Captain Osako was replaced as chief engineer by Captain Kamimori Chikao, former XO of IJN Musashi. Osako also took the head of the 11th Torpedo Squadron. On October 4, Shimakaze sailed to Truk, escorting IJN Okiyo. On October 5, her captain was replaced by Lt.Cdr. Kamii Hiroshi former CO of the Kagero-class Hamakaze. Commander Hirose was assigned to the 1st TQ under RADM Kimura HQ. Shimakaze was assigned to escort the 3rd Fleet (Ozawa) and the 2nd Fleet (Kurita) for the Marshall Islands, departing on October 17. After returning from Truk she was assigned to escort tankers entering and leaving Truk.
On November 1, the Allies started to build an airfield on Bougainville to strengthen their offensive on Rabaul so the Combined Fleet sent the 2nd and 2rd fleets waiting at Truk anchorage to Rabaul with Shimakaze at the head of the 2nd TS, Southeast Area Force with the Strike Force (Kurita, flagship Atago) and Operation Ro. On November 2, the oiler convoy (Shimakaze, Amatsukaze, Sazanami, Nissho Maru, and Nissho Maru) left Truk and on the morning of November 3, the Strike Force, 4th Squadron (Atago, Takao, Maya, Chokai), and 7th Squadron (Suzuya and Mogami), 8th Squadron (Chikuma), 2nd TS (Noshiro, Hayanami, Tamanami, Fujinami, and Suzunami) departed Truk but on the way, the tanker convoy was subjected to an air raid, Chokai and Suzuya were detached to help. Shimakaze escorted Niei Maru back to Rabaul, arriving on November 5.

Next, there was an raid by about 100 US aircraft from USS Saratoga and Princeton. No ships were sunk, but Maya was heavily damaged, Atago captain was killed. CiC Southeast Area Fleet, Kusaka Ninichi, decided to send the strike force back to Truk. Shimakaze joined the strike force escort group and the heavy cruiser force left Rabaul in the evening, returned to Truk on November 7-8. The Suzuya Squadron escorted the Mogami Squadron and among the four ships were Shimakaze and Tamanami, to Truk on the 8th.
On November 11, Shimakaze and Tamanami departed Truk with Takao and Atago as well as Shōkaku for Yokosuka, arrived on the 15th.

Shimakaze needed to repair her turbines and the initial report of her engines broking down caused 2nd Fleet Chief of Staff, Tomiji Koyanagi to panic as there are no spare parts to repair her, so new parts would need to be manufacture. She completed her escort duties with a single turbine and was sent to Yokosuka for repairs. On 26 November she escorted Shōkaku with her old companion Tamanami, leaving Yokosuka to Truk on 1 December, and became a tanker escort for the 2nd TS. In 1944, she was in escort missions to Palau and Davao and on January 8, assigned to escort a convoy (Kokuyo Maru 10,026 tons, Nippon Maru 9,971 tons, and Kenyo Maru 10,024 tons) from Balikpapan to Palau via Palau and Truk, with IJN Hayanami and Patrol Boat No. 102 (former captured USS Stewart). Akebono and Sazanami later joined the convoy.

On January 14 they were attacked by an US wolf pack (USS Scamp, Guardfish, Albacore). Sazanami was sunk by Albacore and the convoy was ordered back to Truk, and despite this, Nippon Maru and Kenyo Maru were sunk. Shimakaze and Hayanami tried to sink USS scamp, but she escaped. Shimakaze, Hayanami, Akebono, and Kokuyo Maru joined Harusame, from Truk and arrived there together on January 17. Shimakaze returned to Palau, for a new convoy (Shimakaze, Tanikaze, Nihei Maru, and Kyokuto Maru) back to Truk on January 27. On February 1, Umikaze was sunk by USS Guardfish off Truk with a convoy, Shimakaze and Shiratsuyu relieved Umikaze and conducted anti-submarine sweeps until February 3.

Shimakaze, Inazuma, and Oikaze left Truk escorting a convoy (Niei Maru, Kokuyo Maru, Kyokuto Maru), stopped at Balikpapan, Borneo, via Davao. Niei Maru was sent to Singapore via Balempan. On February 21, Shimakaze and Inazuma left Balikpapan to escort a tanker convoy to Davao but on the 25th they were attacked by USS Ho while 55 km SSW of Cape San Augustin, Mindanao. The tanker Nissho Maru (10,526 tons) was sunk Kyokuto Maru (10,051 tons) badly damaged. Shimakaze continued to escort the convoy and then joined Inazuma to escort the seaplane tender Akitsushima, damaged in an air raid on Truk back to Yokosuka. There, she was herself overhauled from March 16 to April 11. On March 10, her gunnery officer was replaced by Lieutenant Masaaki Sakonno (from Shigure). On April 1 the chief engineer Chikao Kamimori was replaced by Arashi Kamimura (ex-Yura).

On April 22, Shimakaze, Hayasume, Yukikaze, Yamagumo departed the Seto Inland Sea to escort IJN Yamato with IJN Maya. Yamagumo left the escort in the Bungo Channel, returned to Heigunjima. The Yamato Force arrived in Manila on April 26, departed on the 29th, arrived at Lingga on May 1, departed on May 12, advanced to Tawi-Tawi. They knew US submarines roamed the area so to lure them out Shimakaze took part in a diversion on June 9 whereas Isokaze, Shimakaze, Tanikaze, and Hayashimo were in anti-submarine patrol at the mouth of Tawi-Tawi Bay. Tanikaze was sunk by USS Harder.
A battle took place over Biak Island so Operation Kon was launch the rescue of the Biak garrison, after two failed operations. For the first time, the high command decided to send both Yamato and Musashi together to destroy the landing convoy, lure out TF 38. DesRon 2 (Noshiro, Shimakaze, Okinami) and DesRon 10 (Nowake and Yamagumo) left Tawitawi to escort this attack force (VADM Ugaki Matome). They arrived at Batang, Halmahera, on June 12, waited, but a day after the massive attack on Saipan began so Operation Kon departed from Bachan and rushed to join Vice Admiral Ozawa’s First Mobile Fleet on the 16th.

Next started the Battle of the Mariana Sea from 18–21 June. Shimakaze was part of the Vanguard Fleet (Kurita, 2nd Fleet), engaging US forces. After stopping at Nakagusuku Bay on 22 June, she returned to Hashirashima 2 days later and on the 9th, departed Usuki Bay to escort Yamato, Musashi, and the 4th Squadron and on the way, carried men of the 32nd Army (Watanabe) to Okinawa and returned to Lingga. On July 16, the First Squadron (Yamato, Musashi plus Nagato) escorted by her and Shigure, Samidare, were all back to Lingga Anchorage, and engaged in training.

On October 18, Kurita’s 1st Striking Force departed Lingga for Operation Sho-Ichi-Go, and after resupplying in Brunei Bay, departed on October 22. On October 23 the Battle of Leyte Gulf commenced. The Kurita Fleet was accompanied by TS 2 (flagship Noshiro, DesDiv Akisame, Hayasame, Desdiv 31 Kishinami, Okinami, Naganami, Asashimo, DesDiv 32 Division Hamanami, Fujinami). On October 23, the Kurita Fleet was attacked en route by Darter and Dace in the Palawan Strait, Atago and Maya were sunk. On the 24th, the Kurita Fleet was attacked by air in the Sibuyan Sea. Shimakaze witnessed Musashi hit by multiple shells, falling behind. On orders of Kurita, Shimakaze was detached to assist her. At 6 p.m., she came alongside her port side, picked up the crew of Maya, rescued previous by Musashi. According to the Battle Report of Maya, either 562 or 607 men were rescued. In addition to Shimakaze, Ton and Kiyoshimo were also ordered to carry a rescue mission for Musashi. Shimakaze was replaced by Hamakaze. Tone and Shimakaze returned to the 1st Fleet. Musashi sank later. Shimakaze described a “pillar of fire” as Musashi’s magazines detonated.

The Kurita Fleet attempted to break through the San Bernardino Strait. On October 25, sailing at 24 knots in poor visibility, she collided with Kkiyoshimo. She took damage on her left bow, Akiyoshimo on her right bow and screw plus flooding. According to an officer on Okinami, Shimakaze mistook the reef for a torpedo boat, sent out the signal “enemy sighting”, causing confusion and a collision. Later the same day, the Kurita Fleet fell on Taffy. At 8:00 a.m., the torpedo squadron (and Shimakaze) was ordered to attack. Shimakaze briefly exchanged fire with USS Johnston, rushing from a smoke screen for a mock torpedo attack, forcing the 10th Squadron to evade and TS 2 S on the right flank to turn right. Shimakaze moved away from the battlefield, losing the opportunity to launch torpedoes. This was her last occasion to shine in battle.

On October 26, the Kurita Fleet retreated and en route was attacked by a carrier strike, but damage was minimal although Noshiro (flagship, 2nd Fleet) was sunk, crew rescued by Hamanami and Akisame. Shimakaze, Kishinami, Urakaze, Hamanami, and Akisame were running low on fuel and left Yukikaze and Isokaze with the fleet, entering Coron to refuel and returned to Brunei on the 29th. The Maya crew on board Shimakaze engaged in AA and surface combat, suffering 5 deaths and 8 injuries.

After the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Shimakaze proceeded to Manila via Brunei Bay, deployed for Operation Ta to Leyte. She became the flagship of TS 2, leading the 3rd Transport Force into Ormoc Bay, northwest of Leyte. On November 11, she was caught by a massive air raid (350 carrier-based aircraft). The 3rd Transport Force was annihilated except for Asashimo. On November 4, Shimakaze became took place of Noshiro, sunk at Leyte Gulf, RADM Mikio Hayakawa at the head of TS 2. There were still 450 on board the Shimakaze during the raid, Maya’s crews and the full headquarters staff. In Operation Ta, Shimakaze joined the 3rd Transport Force, mainly composed of five second-hand transport ships, with RZDM Admiral Hayakawa having doubts about using a fast ship to escort these. He was recalled by VADM Okawachi Denshichi (CiC Southwestern Area Fleet) that this was an “Imperial decree”. He still insisted for aircraft support.
The 3rd transport force was about to depart Manila when Nachi, anchored, was destroyed by an air raid on November 5th. Akebono, which assisted her, was also heavily damaged. The transport operation was postponed. Instead, the 4th transport convoy departed on November 8th.

The following day, the 3rd Transport Convoy (Shimakaze, Hamanami, Uiharu, Take, Sub Chaser No. 46, Minesweeper No. 30) and transports Celebes Maru, Taizan Maru, Seitoyo Maru, Tensho Maru, and Mikasa Maru departed Manila at 3 a.m. under heavy rain, certified to would continue for three days, ensuring air protection. In addition, the First Striking Force (Vice Admiral Ugaki Matome, Yamato, Nagato, Kongō, Haruna, Haguro, Yahagi, Urakaze, Yukikaze) left Brunei Bay to cover the operation.

Long story short, she was attacked by Task Force 38 aircraft on 11 November (Battle of Ormoc Bay), completely disabled by strafing and near misses early on. She drifted, powerless, burning for several hours before exploding, sinking. There were 131 survivors rescued, also men from Wakatsuki. Admiral Hayakawa was killed in action. Shimakaze was stricken on 10 January 1945. Her wreck was discovered by Paul Allen’s RV Petrel in Ormoc Bay on 1 December 2017, 715 ft (218 m) underwater. Her three quintuple torpedo tube launchers confirmed her identity but the wreck was in a poor state after the explosion. Photographs debunked the assertion one turret was removed in an early 1944 refit.

Read More/Src

Books

Ford, Roger (2001) The Encyclopedia of Ships, pg. 403-404. Amber Books, London.
Stille, Mark (2013). Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers 1919–45 (2). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing.
Whitley, M.J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2. Cassell Publishing.
Collection of writings by Sizuo Fukui Vol.5, Stories of Japanese Destroyers, Kōjinsha (Japan) 1993
The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.41 Japanese Destroyers I, Ushio Shobō (Japan), July 1980
Ford, Roger; Gibbons, Tony; Hewson, Rob; Jackson, Bob; Ross, David (2001). The Encyclopedia of Ships. London: Amber Books.

Links

Nevitt, Allan. “IJN Shimakaze: Tabular Record of Movement”. Combined Fleet.com.
ja.wikipedia.org/
blog.livedoor.jp irootoko_jr
thetidesofhistory.com/
en.wikipedia.org/

Videos

By Drachinifel

Model Kits

1/700 Waterline, No. 409 “Japanese Destroyer Shimakaze” (Tamiya)
Die-cast parts are used for the bottom of the ship. It reproduces the state of the ship in late 1944.
1/700 Kantai Collection Plastic Model No. 05 Kanmusu Destroyer Shimakaze (Aoshima Bunka Kyozai, model body made by Tamiya). Released in 2014. A collaboration kit with Kantai Collection -KanColle-, the model itself is the same as the Waterline series. The packaging and instruction manual are specially designed for the Kantai Collection collaboration, and come with original stickers, Kanmusu card, and etched nameplate.
1/700 Skywave, W161 “Japanese Navy Destroyer Shimakaze Final” (Pit Road). Released in December 2014. A selectable model of at sea or full hull. The final version is reproduced with a completely new mold. The armaments and structures are designed with the same precision as the new equipment parts (NE series).
1/350 “PLAMAX KC-01 Destroyer x Shipgirl Shimakaze” (Max Factory). A product jointly developed with Hasegawa (the ship model part is by Hasegawa, and the shipgirl figure is by Max Factory). Unpainted 1/20 scale shipgirl Shimakaze and twin-gun chan are also available as kits. Molded in five colors. Announced on January 7, 2015[298][299]. Released in October of the same year, the kit is based on the completed version. Hasegawa has also announced the release of the final version (scheduled for January 2016). Hasegawa has also released (release announcement) etching parts for the completed and final versions, and linoleum deck stickers for the final version.
1/350 KanNEXT Japanese Navy Destroyer Shimakaze (Fujimi). Announced on the homepage on January 14, 2015. Scheduled for release in early December 2015.

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