© 2000-2017 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Lars Ahlberg
Revision 22
29 November 1941:
BatDiv 3's section 2, HARUNA and KONGO, is attached to
Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Kondo Nobutake's (former CO of KONGO) Second Fleet,
Southern (Malay) Force's Main Body: BatDiv 3/2, CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO and MAYA
and eight destroyers. The Main Body departs Hashirajima for Makung,
Pescadores.
2 December 1941:
The Main Body arrives at Makung.
4 December 1941:
The Main Body departs Makung for Indochina (Vietnam) to
provide distant support for the invasion forces.
8 December 1941: The Invasions of Malaya and the Philippines:
CruDiv 4's
MAYA detaches from the Main Body to support the landings at Appari and Vigan in
the Philippines.
9 December 1941: The
Pursuit of the Royal Navy's "Force Z":
The Main Body is SE of
Indochina near Poulo Condore Island.
10 December 1941:
At dawn, Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kurita
Takeo's (former CO of KONGO) CruDiv 7's KUMANO, MOGAMI, MIKUMA and SUZUYA with
DesRon 3's light cruiser SENDAI and four destroyers join the Main Body. Kondo
also orders Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo (former CO of HARUNA) to join in the
hunt with cruiser CHOKAI.
That afternoon, the Main Body and all other ships depart the search area after receiving reports that both British capital ships were sunk off Kuantan, Malaya. Force Z was overwhelmed by 94 torpedo-bombers (Type 96 Mitsubishi G3M2 "Nells" and Type 1 G4M1 "Bettys") of the Genzan, Kanoya and Mihoro Naval Air Groups of Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Matsunaga Sadaichi's (former CO of ISUZU) 22nd Air Flotilla based at Saigon and Thudamot in French Indochina. 840 British seamen are lost including Admiral Phillips.[2]
11 December 1941:
The Main Body arrives at Camranh Bay, Indochina.
14 December 1941:
The Main Body departs Camranh to cover the Second Malaya
Convoy, NE of Natuna Besar Island.
17 December 1941:
The Main Body returns to Camranh.
18 December 1941:
The Main Body departs Camranh to cover the invasion
landings at Lingayen Gulf, Philippines.
20-23 December 1941:
The Main Body lies off the coast of Luzon.
23 December 1941:
Arrives at Makung.
11 January 1942:
The Main Body arrives at Makung.
14 January 1942:
The Main Body departs Makung for the Palau Islands in the
Carolines.
18 January 1942:
The Main Body arrives at Palau. Provides distant cover
for the Dutch East Indies invasion forces.
21-25 January 1942:
The Main Body splits into two groups to provide
distant support of air attacks on Ambon Island. HARUNA, CarDiv 2, CruDiv 4's
MAYA and four destroyers operate out of Palau to the east of Mindanao, the
Philippines. KONGO, CruDiv 4's ATAGO and TAKAO and four destroyers operate south
of Palau.
18 February 1942:
Bat Div 3 departs Palau for Staring (Teluk) Bay, near
Kendari, Celebes (now Sulwasei).
21 February 1942:
BatDiv 3 arrives at Staring Bay. Vice Admiral (later
Admiral) Kondo Nobutake (former CO of KONGO) CruDiv 4's ATAGO, MAYA and TAKAO
and six destroyers also arrive and refuel. Vice Admiral (Admiral, posthumously)
Nagumo Chuichi's (former CO of YAMASHIRO) First Air Fleet Striking Force ("Kido
Butai") CarDiv 1's AKAGI and KAGA, CarDiv 2's HIRYU and SORYU and CruDiv 8's
CHIKUMA and TONE, DesRon 1's light cruiser ABUKUMA with DesDiv 17's URAKAZE,
ISOKAZE, TANIKAZE and HAMAKAZE and DesDiv 18's KASUMI, SHIRANUHI and ARIAKE
arrives from their stike on Darwin, Australia and refuels.
25 February 1942: Operation "J" - The Invasion of the Netherlands East
Indies:
The Main Body departs Staring Bay following the Carrier Striking
Force, CruDiv 8, DesRon 1 and six tankers. The Main Body supports air attacks on
Java.
7 March 1942:
BatDiv 3/2 bombards Christmas Island with DesDiv 17's
URAKAZE, HAMAKAZE, ISOKAZE and TANIKAZE. HARUNA fires three 14-inch and fourteen
6-inch shells.
9 March 1942:
After the surrender of the Dutch East Indies, the BatDiv 3/2
returns to Staring Bay, Celebes.
10-25 March 1942:
At Staring Bay. BatDiv 3's HARUNA, HIEI, KONGO and
KIRISHIMA refuel. After more than three months of continuous operations, the
crews are allowed some rest and relaxation.
6 April 1942:
Bay of Bengal. At about 0600, the three ships of Ozawa's
Northern Group attack and sink the 5,381-ton Norwegian tanker ELSA. After 0730,
KUMANO and SUZUYA and destroyer SHIRAKUMO attack a six-ship convoy and sink the
4,986-ton American Export Line's EXMOOR (ex-CITY OF ST. JOSEPH), the 9,066-ton
British freighter MALDA, the 7,718-ton British freighter AUTOCLYCUS and the
2,441-ton British freighter SHINKUANG at 19N, 86E. Ozawa's cruisers also sink
the 6,622-ton British freighter INDORA and Captain J. H. Gregory's British India
Line's 4,921-ton cargo ship SILKSWORTH. About 50 of SILKSWORTH's mostly Chinese
crewmen survive.
13 April 1942:
By nightfall, the fleet passes Singapore and enters the
South China Sea, bound for Japan.
15 April 1942:
Oiler KOKUYO MARU refuels HARUNA with 1520 tons.
23 April 1942:
The fleet arrives at Hashirajima.
19 May 1942:
BatDiv 3 departs Hashirajima with the First and Third Fleets.
The fleets conduct two-day maneuvers at sea.
23 May 1942:
BatDiv 3 returns to Hashirajima.
29 May 1942: Operation
"MI" - The Battle of Midway:
The Support Group's BatDiv 3, Section
2's HARUNA and KIRISHIMA depart Hashirajima for Midway with Vice Admiral
Nagumo's First Mobile Force, Carrier Strike Force: CarDiv 1's AKAGI and KAGA,
CarDiv 2's HIRYU and SORYU, CruDiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA, DesRon 10's light
cruiser NAGARA and 11 destroyers.
4 June 1942:
At 0430, HARUNA catapults a "Dave" floatplane to search for
American carriers northeast of the Striking Force. Longer-range search planes
are also launched from the AKAGI and the KAGA and later by CHIKUMA and TONE. At
0817, HARUNA and KIRISHIMA are attacked by 11 Midway-based obsolete Marine
SB2U-3 "Vindicator" dive-bombers, but they only score near-misses. When KAGA is
set afire, HARUNA briefly closes to assist.
At 1020, two SBDs from YORKTOWN approach HARUNA from her starboard beam and score two very near misses. The battleship disappears behind the waterspouts and some lookouts on nearby vessels report her as lost. At 1649, HARUNA is attacked unsuccessfully by four level-bombers. At 1707, HARUNA is attacked unsuccessfully by two SBD-3 "Dauntless" dive-bombers of VB-3 from USS YORKTOWN (CV-5). At 1826, HARUNA comes under attack by eight B-17Es "Flying Fortress" of the 431st Bomb Group, but they fail to score a hit.
5 June 1942:
From 1508 to 1545 (JST), DesDiv 17's TANIKAZE is attacked by
three waves of SBDs, about 50 aircraft total. Near-misses cause an explosion in
her after turret. She claims four SBDs shot down. At about 1600, HARUNA is
attacked by SBDs not far from where TANIKAZE was attacked. HARUNA suffers but
minor damage. That night, after the Striking Force joins the Main Body, DesRon
10's destroyers come alongside HARUNA.
14 June 1942:
Returns to Hashirajima.
20 June 1942:
Captain (promoted Rear Admiral 1 May 1943) Ishii Keishi
(43)(former CO of OBB target ship SETTSU) is appointed the CO.
14 July 1942:
HARUNA is assigned to the Second Fleet. Vice Admiral Kurita
Takeo (former CO of KONGO) assumes command of the resized BatDiv 3's KONGO (F)
and HARUNA from Vice Admiral Mikawa who is reassigned as Commander of the Eighth
Fleet at Rabaul. HIEI and KIRISHIMA are reassigned to the new BatDiv 11. Her
floatplane complement is now three E8N2s.
25 July-29 August 1942:
Refit and repairs at Kure. According to some
sources, a new Type 94 main gun director is installed at that time.
6-10 September 1942:
Bat Div 3 departs Kure for Truk with DesDiv 31's
MAKINAMI and DesDiv 32's NAGANAMI.
10 September 1942:
Bat Div 3 sorties from Truk with Vice Admiral Kondo's
Second Fleet: CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO and MAYA, CruDiv 5's HAGURO and MYOKO and
DesRon 2. The Second Fleet accompanies Vice Admiral (Admiral, posthumously)
Nagumo Chuichi's (former CO of YAMASHIRO) Third Fleet:CarDiv 1's SHOKAKU,
ZUIKAKU and ZUIHO, BatDiv 11's HIEI and KIRISHIMA, CruDiv 7's KUMANO and SUZUYA,
CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA, DesRon 10's light cruiser NAGARA and 11 destroyers to an
area north of the Solomon Islands.
15-17 September 1942:
At sea. The fleets refuel destroyers.
18-20 September 1942:
The Second and Third Fleets sortie towards the
Solomons.
20 September 1942:
The fleets are ordered to return to Truk.
23 September 1942:
The fleets arrive at Truk. BatDiv 3 provides distant
support for operations in the Solomon Islands.
11 October 1942:
Kurita's BatDiv 3 departs Truk for Guadalcanal with the
Second and Third Fleets.
12 October 1942:
Bat Div 3 detaches from Kondo and Nagumo's fleets with
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Tanaka Raizo's (former CO of KONGO) DesRon 2's
light cruiser ISUZU and three destroyers. Six destroyers from Shortland join
Kurita's force. All head towards the Solomon Islands.
13 October 1942:
Beginning at 0133, BatDiv 3 bombards Henderson Field,
Guadalcanal. HARUNA and KONGO fire 918 (483 and 435 respectively) 14-in shells
including Type 3 "Sanshikidan" incendiary shells originally designed as AA
rounds. After the HE shells are expended, BatDiv 3 continues the bombardment
with less effective AP shells. Kurita's battleships destroy more than 40 U.S.
aircraft on the ground.
17-18 October 1942:
BatDiv 3 and DesDiv 15's KAGERO and OYASHIO refuel at
sea with Kondo's Advance Force.
26 October 1942: The
Battle of Santa Cruz:
HARUNA is attacked by a PBY "Catalina" flying
boat, but not damaged.
30 October 1942:
BatDiv 3 returns to Truk.
9 November 1942:
BatDiv 3 departs Truk with task group: carrier JUNYO,
cruiser TONE, DesRon 3's light cruiser SENDAI and five destroyers. BatDiv 3
supports air attacks launched at the USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6) south of Guadalcanal,
but JUNYO's aircraft fail to find ENTERPRISE.
15 November 1942:
The Second Naval Battle of
Guadalcanal:
After the loss of BatDiv 11's KIRISHIMA off Savo
Island, BatDiv 3 departs the area for Truk.
30 January 1943: Operation "KE" – The Evacuation of Guadalcanal:
BatDiv 3
departs Truk with a task force of units of the Second and Third Fleet: carriers
ZUIKAKU, ZUIHO and JUNYO, CruDiv 4's ATAGO and TAKAO, CruDiv 5's HAGURO and
MYOKO, DesRon 4's light cruiser NAGARA, DesRon 10's light cruiser AGANO and
destroyers. The task force steams north of the Solomons as a feint to cover the
evacuation of Japanese forces from Guadalcanal by destroyers from Rabaul.
9 February 1943:
After the successful evacuation of 12,000 troops from
Guadalcanal, the task force returns to Truk.
15 February 1943:
BatDiv 3 departs Truk for Japan in company of the escort
carriers JUNYO and CHUYO, seaplane tender NISSHIN and heavy cruisers TONE and
CHOKAI, escorted by six destroyers. After encountering heavy seas JUNYO and two
destroyers are ordered back to Truk.
25 February-1 April 1943:
Dry-docked at Sasebo. A Type 21 radar and Type 3
radar detectors are installed. The aircraft complement is changed to one Aichi
E13A Type 0 and two Mitsubishi F1M Type 0s.
11 March-1 April 1943:
HARUNA begins a refit at Kure. The pagoda
forebridge is lowered by one level. The main gun barrels are replaced. Two
secondary guns are landed. Two 25-mm triple mounts are installed. Most portholes
and scuttles below the middle deck level are plated over. Concrete protection is
added in the vicinity of the steering gear. The attachments for an emergency
rudder are added to the starboard side aft.
20 March 1943:
HARUNA, aircraft carriers SHOKAKU and RYUHO and
unidentified destroyers are met by torpedo boat HATO, minelayers NATSUSHIMA and
NUWAJIMA and patrol boat PB-46 and escorted to Okinoshima. Later that day,
HARUNA arrives in the Inland Sea.
1 April 1943:
Bat Div 3 departs Kure for Truk. HARUNA and KONGO carry men
of the Kure 7th Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF).
6 April 1943:
BatDiv 3 arrives at Truk. Disembarks SNLF troops.
17 May 1943:
Reassigned to the Attu Task Force. BatDiv 3's HARUNA and
KONGO depart Truk for Yokosuka in response to the Attu invasion with BatDiv 1's
MUSASHI, CarDiv 2's HIYO, CruDiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA and DesDiv 24's UMIKAZE
and DesDiv 27's ARIAKE and SHIGURE, DesDiv 61's HATSUZUKI and SUZUTSUKI.
MUSASHI, with Admiral Koga aboard, also carries Admiral Yamamoto's ashes to
Tokyo for a state funeral.
20 May 1943:
Alerted by "Ultra", USS SAWFISH (SS-276) picks up the task
force on radar but is unable to attack.
22 May 1943:
USS TRIGGER (SS-237) sights the task force off Tokyo Bay, but
is unable to attack. The task force arrives safely. Carriers ZUIKAKU, SHOKAKU
and ZUIHO and light cruisers AGANO and OYODO join the task force at
Yokosuka-Tokyo Bay. CruDiv 7's KUMANO, MOGAMI and SUZUYA also arrive from
Tokuyama. Before this powerful force can depart for a counterattack against the
Aleutians, Attu falls to U.S. forces.
May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka with the fleet on maneuvers.
14 June 1943:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Morishita Nobue (45)(former CO
of OI) is appointed the CO, assuming command the following day.
16 June 1943:
BatDiv 3 departs Yokosuka for Truk with a task group: light
carrier RYUHO, escort carriers UNYO, CHUYO, CruDiv 7's KUMANO and SUZUYA and
seven destroyers.
17 June 1943:
USS FLYING FISH (SS-229) sights the group making 20 knots,
but the submarine is unable to attack.
21 June 1943:
USS SPEARFISH (SS-190) attacks one of the carriers in the
group, but misses with four torpedoes. The task group arrives safely at
Truk.
9 August 1943:
Vice Admiral Kurita assumes command of the Second Fleet.
Kondo, promoted to Admiral on 23 April 1943, is reassigned as CinC of the China
Area Fleet.
18 September 1943:
At Truk. BatDiv 3 remains at Truk as guardships with
flagship MUSASHI and FUSO during the fleet's sortie to Brown Island, Eniwetok in
response to raids on Tarawa, Makin and Abemama Atolls by Rear Admiral Charles A.
Pownall's Task Force 15.
25 September 1943:
The fleet arrives back at Truk.
25 September-17 October 1943:
At Truk.
17 October 1943:
The Japanese intercept radio traffic that suggests the
Americans are planning another raid on Wake Island. Admiral Koga sorties from
Truk to intercept the enemy carriers with the fleet: BatDiv 1's YAMATO, MUSASHI,
and NAGATO, BatDiv 2's FUSO, Bat Div 3's KONGO and HARUNA, CarDiv 1's SHOKAKU,
ZUIKAKU and ZUIHO, CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA and CHOKAI, CruDiv 7's SUZUYA
and MOGAMI, CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA and TONE and light cruisers AGANO, NOSHIRO, OYODO
and destroyers.
19-23 October 1943:
Arrives at Brown Atoll, Eniwetok.
23 October 1943:
Departs Brown and sorties to a position 250 miles south
of Wake. Returns after no contact is made with enemy forces.
26 October 1943:
The fleet arrives back at Truk.
5-6 November 1943:
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Alfred E.
Montgomery's (former CO of RANGER (CV-4) Task Force 14's carriers USS ESSEX
(CV-9), YORKTOWN (CV-10), LEXINGTON (CV-16), INDEPENDENCE (CV-22), BELLEAU WOOD
(CVL-24) and COWPENS (CVL-25) launch raids on Wake and the Marshall Islands.
11 December 1943:
BatDiv 3 departs Truk for Sasebo with DesDiv 4's MAIKAZE
and NOWAKI.
16 December 1943-26 February 1944 :
Arrives at Sasebo. Four secondary guns
are landed. Four 12.7-cm AA guns (2x2) and twelve 25-mm AA guns (4x3) are added.
Two Type 0 hydrophones are installed.
25 January 1944:
Captain (promoted Rear Admiral 15 October) Shigenaga
Kazue (46)(former CO of CHIKUMA) is appointed the CO.
29 February 1944:
Departs Sasebo for trials in western Inland Sea in
company of KONGO, then proceeds to Mutsure Bight.
1 March 1944:
HARUNA, KONGO and MOGAMI depart Mutsure Bight for the 3rd
Fuel Depot at Tokuyama, making a stop at Hesaki Bight en route.
2 March 1944:
After refueling HARUNA and KONGO depart Tokuyama to continue
battle exercises.
7 March 1944:
BatDiv 3 arrives at Sumoto Bight on Awaji Island.
8 March 1944:
BatDiv 3 departs Sumoto for Lingga Roads anchorage, south of
Singapore, with carrier ZUIKAKU, cruiser MOGAMI, DesDiv 10's ASAGUMO, AKIGUMO
and KAZAGUMO. BatDiv 3 carries the 103rd Air Defense Unit (241 men in all).
11 March 1944:
At 1210, the task group is sighted by USS LAPON (SS-260),
but the submarine is unable to attack. ZUIKAKU and MOGAMI are detached and put
into Seletar Naval Base, Singapore. The remainder of the task group continues
south to Lingga.
14 March-11 May 1944:
Training at Lingga.
18 March 1944:
In the afternoon Captain Shigenaga is briefed aboard
NAGATO, presents two bottles of Hakushika sake as a gift to Vice Admiral
Ugaki.
31 March 1944:
Departs Lingga for Singapore.
April-11 May 1944:
Departs Singapore for Lingga. Training.
11 May 1944:
Steams with Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo's Mobile Fleet from
Lingga to Tawi Tawi anchorage.
13 May-13 June 1944:
At Tawi Tawi with Vice Admiral Kurita's Force "C"
Vanguard: BatDiv 1's YAMATO and MUSASHI, BatDiv 3 KONGO, CarDiv 3's CHITOSE,
CHIYODA and ZUIHO, CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA and CHOKAI, CruDiv 7's KUMANO
and SUZUYA, CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA and TONE, DesRon 2's light cruiser NOSHIRO and
six destroyers.
13 June 1944: Operation
"A-GO" - The Battle of the Philippine Sea:
In Tokyo, the
CinC, Combined Fleet, Admiral Toyoda Soemu, (former CO of HYUGA), sends out a
signal that activates the "A-GO" plan for the Defense of the Marianas.
14 June 1944:
At Guimaras. Refuels from oilers.
15 June 1944:
The Mobile Fleet departs Guimaras through the Visayan Sea.
At 1622, the Mobile Fleet is sighted in the San Bernardino Strait by LtCdr
Robert Risser's USS FLYING FISH (SS-229).
17 June 1944:
LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Herman J. Kossler's USS CAVALLA
(SS-244) sights the Mobile Fleet in the Philippine Sea and reports its movement
after surfacing later that evening.
18-19 June 1944:
Ozawa splits the Mobile Fleet. Forces "A" and "B"
proceed southward. The Vanguard Force "C" proceeds due east in the Philippine
Sea headed towards Saipan. The Mobile Fleet's aircraft attack the U.S. Task
Force 58 off Saipan, but suffer overwhelming aircraft losses in the "Great
Mariana's Turkey Shoot".
20 June 1944:
Around 1833, BatDiv 3, providing AA support to carrier
CHIYODA, is attacked by Grumman TBF-1C "Avenger" torpedo-bombers from USS CABOT
(CVL-28), erroneously reported as Curtiss SB2C "Helldiver" dive-bombers. HARUNA
receives one bomb hit and three near misses to both sides of the bow. At 1837 a
500-lb GP bomb bounces off the water and penetrates the starbord side of the
stern, exploding on the lower deck. The manual steering compartment is rapidly
flooded thereafter. The port outboard shaft bracket is damaged and its turbine
has to be shot down, reducing the speed to 26 kts. 15 sailors in manual steering
compartment are KIA, 19 wounded. The near misses buckle the hull plating in the
bow area. The AA gunners from HARUNA claim two enemy aircraft.
21 June 1944:
At 1612, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message
from the Chief of Staff, 2nd Fleet that reads: "HARUNA and MAYA received the
following damages in the battle of the 20th: 1. HARUNA ----- (lists fairly
extensive damages, from bomb hit(s), -----. MAYA. Flooding in vicinity of ------
(120 tons of water have entered). Port ----- out of commission --."
23 June 1944:
At 0848, codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message from
the Chief of Staff, 1st Mobile Fleet that reads: "HARUNA, SHIGURE and SAMIDARE
will carry out repairs of damage at Sasebo; MAYA will do the same at Yokosuka
and others at Sasebo --."
22 June 1944:
Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa. HARUNA refuels destroyers, then
departs for Japan, escorted by SAMIDARE and SHIGURE.
24 June 1944:
Arrives at Sasebo.
27 June-10 August 1944:
Dry-docked in No. 4 drydock for battle damage
repairs and refit. Type 13 radar and additional 25-mm AA guns are installed. The
existing Type 22 radars are fitted with superheterodyne receivers. A total of
twenty-two 25-mm triple and twenty single mounts are added. Six existing 25-mm
twin mounts on the bridge, abreast the forward funnel and elsewhere are replaced
by triples.
15 August 1944:
Departs Sasebo for Lingga Roads anchorage with DesDiv 4's
YAMAGUMO, MICHISHIO and NOWAKI. HARUNA is carrying fresh replenishment crews for
the battleships of Kurita's fleet including YAMATO and MUSASHI. Her cargo
includes superheterodyne receivers for the rest of Kurita's fleet and trained
radar personnel. Two E13A1 floatplanes are embarked. Before arrival, HARUNA and
her escorts are diverted to Singapore for additional repairs.
18 August 1944:
South China Sea, W of Luzon. At 0029 (I), LtCdr Robert
E.M. Ward's USS SAILFISH (SS-192) makes SJ radar contact with HARUNA group. At
0135, at 18-40N, 116-10E, Ward fires four Mk.23 torpedoes from 3,600 yards at a
large target "with much superstructure forward". All miss.
21 August 1944:
Arrives at Singapore. The superheterodyne receivers and
the associated personnel are debarked.
21 August-5 October 1944:
Dry-docked in King George VI Graving Dock in
Seletar for additional repairs. To minimize the vibration the port outboard
shaft is removed by the 101st Repair Facility. The maximum speed (No. 5 battle
speed) of HARUNA is thereby limited to 26.5 kts.
5 October 1944:
HARUNA departs Singapore for Lingga. She rejoins KONGO
in Vice Admiral Suzuki Yoshio's (former CO of KONGO) BatDiv 3.
18 October 1944:
BatDiv 3 departs Lingga with fleet for Brunei Bay,
Borneo.
20 October 1944:
BatDiv 3 arrives at Brunei.
21 October 1944:
Brunei. HARUNA refuels NOWAKI.
23 October 1944: The
Battle of the Palawan Passage:
Two American submarines attack Force
A. USS DARTER (SS-227) sinks Kurita's flagship ATAGO. Destroyer KISHINAMI picks
him up. Ten hours later, he transfers to YAMATO to resume command of the First
Diversion Attack Force. DARTER also damages TAKAO. USS DACE (SS-247) sinks MAYA.
HARUNA is not damaged.
24 October 1944: The
Battle of the Sibuyan Sea:
Force "A" endures raids by over 250 U.S.
carrier aircraft. At 1026, the lookouts on HARUNA, steaming astern of KONGO with
No. 2 Unit, report a squadron of nine Curtiss SB2C "Helldiver" dive-bombers
passing off the starboard bow. The scheduled launch of her E13A1 floatplane No.
2 is canceled. At 1037 HARUNA fires one main gun salvo at the enemy aircraft
attacking No. 1 Unit, but the fire is checked because of excessive range.
25 October 1944: The
Battle off Samar:
At 0030, Force "A" exits the San Bernardino Strait
and proceeds towards Leyte Gulf. At 0544, its lookouts spot four enemy
destroyers, and shortly thereafter three carriers, three cruisers and two more
destroyers at a range of 23 miles bearing 60 degrees to port.
At 0655, receives order from KONGO to target a carrier group bearing 120. At 0748 opens fire with main guns at a destroyer, probably hits KALININ BAY. At 0756 receives a warning from YAMATO about two incoming torpedoes. At 0808 commences firing at a cruiser (later identified as an escort carrier), in all likelihood hitting USS GAMBIER BAY.
Between 0755 and 0910, Force "A" sinks GAMBIER BAY, HOEL, ROBERTS and JOHNSTON. Kurita orders all ships to head north, but at 1020 he reverses course southward and again heads towards Leyte Gulf. Between 1030 and 1320, CHOKAI, CHIKUMA and SUZUYA are disabled by battle damage and subsequently lost.
At 0912, HARUNA is attacked by three torpedo bombers from bow direction, probably VC-81's TBM-1C "Avengers" from CTU 77.4.2's flagship NATOMA BAY (CVE-62). After being hit by 25-mm AA fire, one attacker crashes into the sea. Evades two torpedoes with a turn to port; a third torpedo almost grazes the hull. 0928: A single torpedo bomber attacks from bow direction, dropping a torpedo. HARUNA evades it with a turn to starboard. 1040: After NOSHIRO reports the sighting of a BALTIMORE-class heavy cruiser in NNW direction, Vice Admiral SUZUKI orders HARUNA to detach and intecept it. HARUNA's lookouts soon identifies the lonely cruiser as the crippled SUZUYA. 1049: HARUNA, now stationed off the port bow of YAMATO, is attacked by four carrier aircraft, probably "Avengers" from NATOMA BAY. She evades them with a hart port turn; four near misses cause no damage and one of the attackers is reportedly downed by 12.7-cm AA fire. 1330: HARUNA is attacked by five carrier aircraft, probably from USS HANCOCK (CV-19). One of them is hit by AA fire ans ditches off the battleship's fantail. 1640-1705: HARUNA is again attacked by carrier planes from TU 77.4.2. Four aircraft attack from port quarter direction, scoring three near misses off starboard bow. Splinters damage No. 5 boiler room ventilator oil line starboard amidships. The ventilator seizes, causing a sudden burst of black smoke from HARUNA's fore funnel. Force "A" reverses course northward and at 2100 retires through the San Bernardino Strait.26 October 1944:
Tablas Strait, SE of Mindoro Island. Between 1055 and
1057 (JST) the retiring Force "A" is attacked by thirteen Consolidated B-24J
"Liberator" bombers from the Morotai-based 307th BG (H) "The Long Rangers".
HARUNA commences an evasive maneuver to port and at 1058 she receives multiple
near misses off the bow and port amidships that cause damage to 7 locations and
open 41 splinter holes. The AA gunners from HARUNA claim four B-24s.
27 October 1944:
Dangerous Ground, W of Palawan. HARUNA and NAGATO refuel
the destroyers ISOKAZE and YUKIKAZE.
28 October 1944:
The remnants of Force "A" arrive at Brunei. Refuel.
6 November 1944:
Carrier JUNYO and light cruiser KISO, escorted by DesDiv
30's YUZUKI and UZUKI, arrive at Brunei from Sasebo with ammunition resupply for
Kurita's force.
8 November 1944:
At 0300, departs Brunei towards Pratas Islands (near the
Formosa Strait) with BatDiv 1's YAMATO and NAGATO, BatDiv 3, light cruiser
YAHAGI, DesDiv 17's four destroyers. JUNYO, cruisers TONE and ASHIGARA, KISO and
DesDiv 30 follow. JUNYO, TONE, KISO and DesDiv 30 are detached to Manila. The
remainder of the group makes a feint through the Balabac Strait, then returns to
Brunei.
11 November 1944:
At 1000, arrives at Brunei Bay. Refuels from
oiler HAKKO MARU.
15 November 1944:
NAGATO is reassigned to BatDiv 3 in Second Fleet with
HARUNA and KONGO.
16 November 1944:
At Brunei. Attacked by 40 USAAF Consolidated B-24
"Liberator" bombers and 15 Lockheed "Lightning" P-38 fighters. BatDiv 3 is not
damaged. At 1830, KONGO departs for Kure with BatDiv 1's YAMATO, BatDiv 3, light
cruiser YAHAGI and four destroyers. HARUNA remains at Brunei and joins ASHIGARA
and HAGURO and light cruiser OYODO.
17 November 1944:
At Brunei. At 0400, HARUNA and the cruisers depart
Brunei.
18 November 1944:
HARUNA group arrives at the Spratly Islands. CarDiv 4's
ISE and HYUGA and DesDiv 61's SHIMOTSUKI are already there unloading troops and
supplies after being diverted from Manila because of carrier air attacks on that
port.
Vice Admiral Shima Kiyohide (former CO of OI), CINC, Fifth Fleet arrives from Manila aboard DesDiv 21's HATSUSHIMO accompanied by DesDiv 2's ASASHIMO and DesDiv 7's KASUMI and USHIO. Shima transfers his flag to ASHIGARA.
20 November 1944:
HARUNA departs the Spratlys for Lingga with CarDiv 4,
ASHIGARA, HAGURO, OYODO and destroyers.
22 November 1944:
South China Sea, 60 miles off Lingga Roads. Around 0500
(local), a surfaced submarine is sighted. One hour later, HARUNA, steaming in
line ahead formation astern of HAGURO, runs aground on Admiral Bank. Her hull is
buckled over a hundred-meter long area starboard amidships, a 30-meter long gash
appears and heavy flooding ensues. The battleship ships some 1,400 tons of
water.
At 1300, the squadron arrives at Lingga Roads and refuels from NICHIEI MARU. HARUNA proceeds to Singapore.
26 November 1944:
Inspected at Seletar by the personnel of 101st Repair
Facility, where some makeshift repairs are conducted. The facility reports that
HARUMA is still able to make 18 knots, but higher speeds constitute a danger for
her safety. The minimum repair time is estimated at 15 days.
A staff conference is convened and Vice Admiral Shima orders to dispatch the damaged battleship to home via Makung, Pescadores.
28 November 1944:
Departs Lingga.
29 November 1944:
Arrives at Singapore in the early morning, embarks a
cargo of tin and sugar. Departs for Makung 1930 that day with destroyers
HATSUSHIMO and KASUMI.
1 December 1944:
At 2213, the HARUNA group, making 18 knots, is picked up
on SJ radar by LtCdr Herman J. Kossler's USS CAVALLA (SS-244) at 11-16N,
111-38E. As he closes the track, Kossler sights an escort.
2 December 1944:
At 0111, Kossler identifies one of the contacts as "a
battleship, possibly YAMATO". He makes an "end around" approach to attack.
Kossler takes CAVALLA to periscope depth, but is forced to dive to avoid being
rammed by an escort. While diving, Kossler "snap-shoots" six Mk.23 torpedoes at
HARUNA, but they all miss.
4 December 1944:
South of Formosa. At 2246 (JST), HARUNA's group is
attacked by a single B-29, targeting destroyer KASUMI. All bombs miss.
5 December 1944:
At 1020, the HARUNA group arrives at Makung. Destroyers
KASUMI and HATSUSHIMO are detached and later escort a convoy to Camranh.
6 December 1944:
Departs Makung for Sasebo with carrier JUNYO, DesDiv 41's
SUZUTSUKI, FUYUTSUKI and DesDiv 31's destroyer escort MAKI.
8 December 1944:
At about 2000, alerted by Ultra, LtCdr L. D. McGregor's
USS REDFISH (SS-395) makes radar contact on the zigzagging task group at 31,000
yards, making 19 knots. McGregor attempts an "end-around" but loses contact. He
signals six nearby American submarines of his contact. At 2030, McGregor regains
contact and continues tracking the task group. At 2130, LtCdr R. E. Styles' USS
SEA DEVIL (SS-400) makes radar contact on the task group at 16,000 yards.
9 December 1944:
About midnight, LtCdr C. B. Stevens' USS PLAICE (SS-390)
picks up the task group at 24,000 yards.
At about 0100, LtCdr Styles' SEA DEVIL makes a radar-depth approach on the
task group SW of Homazaki at 31-43N, 129-04E. At 4,300 yards, Styles fires four
Mk.23 steam torpedoes at the largest target. One or two of the torpedoes hit
JUNYO. She takes on water and slows.
LtCdr Stevens' PLAICE is near
Meshima in the East China Sea. Stevens sees a destroyer and fires three
torpedoes at it, but all miss. Then about 0200, he sees JUNYO coming out of the
mist. Stevens doesn't have a firing solution on the distant carrier, but he
fires three torpedoes at the closer destroyer escort MAKI in a night surface
radar attack at 31-57N, 129-01E. One torpedo hits.
At about 0300, LtCdr
McGregor in REDFISH is able to just see HARUNA, JUNYO and three destroyers. He
makes a night surface radar attack on JUNYO at 32-13N, 129-13E. He fires six
torpedoes from 2,900 yards. One, perhaps, hits the carrier. McGregor reloads and
fires six more torpedoes at JUNYO.
HARUNA is undamaged during all the
submarine attacks, but JUNYO is hit on the starboard side forward and aft and
the starboard engine room floods. Although she takes on a 12-degree starboard
list, she makes 12 knots on her port engine and escapes further attack. MAKI,
hit in the port bow, also escapes and makes port at Nagasaki.
10 December 1944:
The remainder of the task group arrives at Sasebo.
11 December 1944:
HARUNA and DesDiv 41's FUYUTSUKI and SUZUTSUKI depart
Sasebo for Kure.
12 December 1944:
The HARUNA group arrives at Kure.
20 December 1944:
At Kure. Captain Yoshimura Matake (45)(former CO of CL
YAHAGI) is appointed the CO.
23 December 1944:
The former Vice Chief of the Naval General Staff, Vice
Admiral (Admiral, posthumously) Ito Seiichi (former CO of HARUNA) assumes
command of the Second Fleet. Vice Admiral Kurita is reassigned as the President
of the Etajima Naval Academy.
1 January 1945:
At Kure. BatDiv 3 is deactivated. HARUNA is reassigned to
the reactivated BatDiv 1, Second Fleet. During 1945, HARUNA's battle damage is
mostly repaired and she is camouflaged gray with very pale gray stripes on her
turrets.
10 February 1945:
BatDiv 1 is deactivated once again. HARUNA is attached
to Kure Naval District.
19 March 1945:
Kure Arsenal. Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A.
Mitscher's (former CO of HORNET, CV-8) Task Force 58 carriers USS ESSEX (CV-9),
INTREPID (CV-11), HORNET (CV-12), WASP (CV-18), HANCOCK (CV-19), BENNINGTON
(CV-20) and BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24) make the first carrier attack on the Kure
Naval Arsenal. More than 240 aircraft attack battleships HARUNA, YAMATO, ISE,
HYUGA, carriers RYUHO, KAIYO, AMAGI, KATSURAGI and other ships.
The fleet is defended vigorously, but unsuccessfully, by 54 Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-Kai ("George") fighters of Captain (later General and CinC, JSDF)Genda Minoru's (of AKAGI at Pearl Harbor) 343rd NAG based at Matsuyama airfield. Its pilots claim 52 aircraft shot down against 16 losses.
HARUNA, standing at the roadstead in Etajima Bight is attacked by 15 aircraft, but hit only once on the starboard side aft of the bridge which causes light damage.
2 April 1945:
A floating mine explodes alongside HARUNA, killing two
sailors.
22 June 1945:
The XXth (Twentieth) Air Force at Tinian launches 162 Boeing
B-29 "Superfortress" in mission No. 215 against the Kure Naval Arsenal. The
HARUNA is bracketed by near-miss bombs. One bomb hits the quarterdeck and causes
light damage.
23 June 1945:
HARUNA is towed to the roadstead in Etajima Bight.
28 July 1945:
At Kure. From 0800 to 1700, HARUNA is attacked again by USS
WASP's (CV-18) Air Group 86, SHANGRI-LA (CV-38) and other aircraft from Task
Force 38. She receives many hits and near misses.
At 1248, HARUNA is attacked, but not hit by over 70 USAAF B-24's of the 7th AF's 11th and 494th Bomb Groups and other groups based at Yontan Air Base, Okinawa. A few moments after dropping its bombs, B-24J "Lonesome Lady" is hit by anti-aircraft shell. All but one of the crew bail out successfully. B-24J "Taloa" is also hit by AA and lost. [3][4]
At 1615, HARUNA comes under a final heavy attack, and is holed portside. This causes a list that brings the gash inflicted on 24 July under water. HARUNA takes on tons of water and sinks in shallow water next to a pier at 34-15N, 132-29E. In the two days of attacks, HARUNA receives 13 bomb hits and 10 near misses. 65 officers and men are lost.
20 November 1945:
Removed from Navy List.
1946-1948:
The wreck of HARUNA is raised and broken up.
