© 1998 Allyn D. Nevitt
@Revised - Allyn Nevitt with Anthony Tully - September 2019
Revised - Anthony Tully - April 2023
Name Translation: "Shore Wind"
30 November:
Completed and commissioned into Imperial Japanese Navy.
Initial Command Structure:
Commanding Officer: Cdr Shirahama Masashichi (49)
Torpedo Officer: Lt Takahashi Tatsuhiko (61)
Gunnery Officer: Lt Fukuda Yuji (63)
Navigator: Lt Yamakawa Yoshihiko (58)
Chief Engineer: Lt (Eng.) Hayashizaki Takeo (Eng. 39)
15 December:
Assigned to Captain (VAdm posthumously) Sugiura Kaju (46) (former Staff, 2 nd China
Expeditionary Fleet)’s newly-reactivated DesDiv 17 (URAKAZE, ISOKAZE).
25 February:
Cdr (RAdm posthumously) Isohisa Kenma (48) (former CO of KASUMI) is appointed CO.
Cdr Shirahama is reassigned.
26 March:
Lt (j.g.) (LtCdr posthumously) Morioka Izumi (64) (former Equipping Officer,
HAGIKAZE) is appointed Gunnery Officer. Lt Fukuda is reassigned.
15 May:
Gunnery Officer Lt (j.g.) Morioka is promoted Lt.
1 September:
Lt (Cdr posthumously) Minagawa Yoshio (63) (former Navigator, URANAMI) is
appointed Torpedo Officer. Lt Takahashi is appointed Torpedo Officer of ASAGUMO.
10 September:
Cdr (later Captain) Toyoshima Shunichi (51) (former CO of YAMAKAZE) is appointed
CO. Cdr Isohisa is appointed Commander of 11 th Torpedo Boat Division. Still assigned to Desdiv 17 (URAKAZE, TANIKAZE, ISOKAZE, HAMAKAZE), Desron 1, First Fleet.
15 October:
Chief Engineer Lt (Eng.) Hayashizaki is promoted LtCdr (Eng.).
18-22 November:
0200 18th Departed Saeki Bay. Steamed with Desron 1 from Saeki to Etorofu (Kuriles). Arrived at 1600 22 November.
7 December:
Escorted Admiral Nagumo's carrier striking force for the attack on Pearl Harbor.
17 December:
Action:
- 1225: Received aircraft report of a possible submarine. Proceeded with HAMAKAZE to the position and at 1242 dropped seven depth-charges. A sinking was claimed.
- 1430: Rejoined KdB.
23 November:
1830: Returned to Hashirajima, West Inland Sea.
24 November:
1300: Departed for Kure; arrived at 1430. Carried out upkeep and training.
19 January:
0924: Arrived at Truk.
22 January:
Departed Truk to participate in "R" Operation: KdB strikes on Rabaul. ISOKAZE escorted 2nd Replenishment Unit.
23 January:
Escorted AKAGI and KAGA covering Rabaul/Kavieng landings, then returned to Truk 0730 27 January.
1-7 February:
1000: Departed with units of carrier force in pursuit of U.S. carriers, then to Palau.
8 February:
1050: Arrived at Palau with KdB.
15-22 February:
1400: Departed Palau escorting KdB in strike against Port Darwin, Australia. Attack carried out on 19 February; then all proceeded to Staring Bay (Celebes) on 21 February.
25 February:
0700: Departed Staring Bay, escorting carrier force in operations south of Java.
1 March:
In company with Crudiv 8 intercepted enemy shipping.
Action:
- 1145 With CHIKUMA intercepted and fired on and sank Dutch freighter MODJOKERTO within three minutes.
5 March:
Air strikes on Tjilatjap.
7 March:
Escorted KONGO and HARUNA in bombardment of Christmas Island; then returned to Staring Bay at 1700 11 March.
25 March:
Lt (j.g.) (later Lt) Arimitsu Miyoshi (68) is appointed Navigator. Lt Hoshiko is appointed Torpedo Officer of TANIKAZE.
26 March:
0800: Departed Staring Bay, escorting carrier force in Indian Ocean raids.
4 April:
Action:
- 1855 While Task Force is on run-in toward Ceylon and enemy flying boat is sighted by HIEI and fired upon. Scrambled interceptors of the carriers forced it to make a water landing thirty minutes later.
- 1922 ISOKAZE approached the crippled flying boat and took the surviving crew prisoner.
5 April:
Air strikes on Colombo.
8 April:
1805: ISOKAZE and other ships fired on an enemy flying boat.
9 April:
Air strikes on Trincomalee.
10 April:
Desdiv 17 reassigned to Desron 10, First Air Fleet.
11 April:
1015: KdB entered the northern end of Malacca Strait.
13 April:
ISOKAZE directed to join the Replenishment Force.
15 April:
Torpedo Officer Lt Minagawa is appointed Torpedo Officer of MAIKAZE. A successor is not immediately appointed.
16 April:
1130: ISOKAZE joined the Replenishment Force bound for the homeland.
20 April:
Lt (j.g.) Seki Tatsuo (68) is appointed Torpedo Officer.
25 April:
Cdr (RAdm posthumously) Kitamura Masayuki (45) (former CO of 21st Minesweeper Division) is appointed ComDesDiv 17. Captain Sugiura is appointed Chief Instructor of the Torpedo School.
Lt (j.g.) (LtCdr posthumously) KoshibaKameji (68) is appointed Navigator. Lt (j.g.) Arimitsu is reassigned.
27 April:
Arrived in Kure from Southern operations, then docked for repairs.
1 May:
ComDesDiv 17 Cdr Kitamura is promoted Captain.
5 May:
1430: ISOKAZE entered drydock for repairs.
15 May:
Undocked; departed Kure next day for Hashirajima.
27 May:
0400: Departed Hashirajima with Nagumo Striking Force for the invasion of Midway Island.
4-5 June: Battle of Midway
Escorted Admiral Nagumo's Striking Force; part of screen of KdB. Assigned as direct escort plane guard to SORYU. Assisted SORYU after carrier dive-bombed and helped HAMAKAZE rescue survivors then scuttled with torpedoes.
Action:
- 1026-1030 SORYU dive-bombed; suffered three direct hits and set ablaze. ISOKAZE attacked by dive-bomber. Bomb near-missed port (variant says starboard) quarter around frame 140. Between frames 127-152 fuel tanks are ruptured. However, no impediment to navigation and battle steaming.
- 1040 SORYU stopped. Abandon ship ordered five minutes later and ISOKAZE closed to rescue and assist men on the forecastle.
- 1355 ComMobile Force [Nagumo] assigned HAMAKAZE and ISOKAZE to guard of SORYU and directed them to attempt to retire northwest. However, SORYU is inoperational and ISOKAZE so reported.
- 1502 ISOKAZE reported all (known) survivors have been taken aboard and SORYU is incapable of sailing.
- 1612 Salvage operations for SORYU halted. "SORYU began to sink" [Post-war testimony asserts that ISOKAZE scuttled her with three torpedoes.] Three minutes later SORYU sank stern first. ISOKAZE rescued a few survivors noticed that had remained aboard till the last minute, then proceeded to assist AKAGI.
- 1900 ISOKAZE with HAMAKAZE patrolled in a circle 5 kilometers out from burning AKAGI.
6 June:
0155: AKAGI scuttled by Desdiv 4 [ARASHI, NOWAKI, HAGIKAZE, MAIKAZE]. ISOKAZE and HAMAKAZE with Desdiv 4 proceeded westward to rejoin NAGARA and Nagumo Force.
1625: After rejoining Mobile Fleet, ISOKAZE went alongside CHIKUMA. Eight of the cruiser's crew-members that had been left behind with a cutter to assist SORYU are transhipped from the destroyer.
8 June:
- The mass of SORYU survivors are transferred from ISOKAZE to KIRISHIMA.
13 June:
1300: ISOKAZE arrived at Kure for temporary maintenance.
22 June:
1000: ISOKAZE entered drydock for repairs of her bomb damage.
2 July:
1040: Left drydock.
4 July:
1700: Departed Kure; 1916 arrived Hashirajima.
12 July:
2100: Departed Hashirajima; arrived at Sasebo 1920 the next day.
14 July:
Desron 10 reassigned to Third Fleet.
0800: Departed Sasebo for Hashirajima.
21-25 July:
Departed Iwaishima each day acting as plane-guard for carrier SHOKAKU on exercises.
5 August:
Desdiv 17 attached to Outer South Seas Force.
8 August:
1630: Steamed from Kure to Iwaishima.
1800: Departed for the new battle front opened with the Allied invasion of the Solomons.
15 August:
1907: Arrived at Rabaul ; then guardship for CHOKAI, flagship of the 8th Fleet.
19 August:
1930: With CHOKAI departed Rabaul for Shortlands.
23 August:
1450: Arrived with CHOKAI at Shortland Islands, south of Bougainville Island.
24 August:
Departed Shortlands with MUTSUKI, YAYOI, and KAWAKAZE, then joined KAGERO in bombardment of Henderson Field.
Action:
- 2130 Depth-charged submarine contact.
- 2355 Shelled enemy landing zone on Guadalcanal Island.
25 August: Battle of Eastern Solomons
Joined Convoy Escort Force of Guadalcanal troop convoy operating to the north of Guadalcanal; then to the Shortlands at 2100 on 26 August.
27 August:
Troop transport run to Guadalcanal planned; the intention was to land 350 soldiers removed from the transport KINRYU MARU lost on 25 August. They were to be transported by ISOKAZE, KAWAKAZE and UMIKAZE. At the same time four destroyers led by AMAGIRI would land soldiers of the Kawaguchi Detachment.
0530: The three destroyers departed; however a misleading message was received, and the operation was postponed. Returned to Shortlands the same day. (The AMAGIRI group proceeded, but on 28 August air attack sank ASAGIRI and damaged YUGIRI and SHIRAKUMO and their mission was also aborted.)
28 August:
0600 Troop transport run by ISOKAZE, UMIKAZE and KAWAKAZE to Guadalcanal resumed, but was also cancelled early the next day.
29 August:
0830: The three destroyers returned to Shortlands. ISOKAZE reportedly transferred the troops to the YUDACHI to make a solo attempt.(This was successful on 30 August)
31 August:
0925: Lone B-17 bombed Shortland anchorage. Repulsed by gunfire. No damage sustained.
1 September:
Reserve Lt (j.g.) (promoted Lt at unknown date) Tatsumi Hiroshi (former Navigator, AMAGIRI) is appointed Navigator. Lt (j.g.) Koshiba is reassigned.
4-6 September:
Escorted convoy from Shortlands to Rabaul.
10 September:
With YAYOI, departed Rabaul to retrieve a commuincations detachment straned on Taupota Island, Goodenough Islands.
11 September:
Action:
- 1300 The two destroyers nearing destination are attacked by B-17s and B-25s. YAYOI is hit and sunk; ISOKAZE was near-missed, but suffered only one wounded from strafing. Expended 40 5" and about 1,200 25 mm machine-gun rounds. Searched for survivors from YAYOI, but sighted none. (Fortunately there actually were and a number did subsequently reach Normanby Island) However, the mission had to be aborted.
13-14 September:
Transport run from Rabaul to Gizo; attacked with no damage by B-17 at 0816 15 September then returned via Shortlands to Rabaul on 17 September.
25-27 September:
Out of Rabaul with MOCHIZUKI to rescue YAYOI survivors from Normanby Island; then to Truk on 30 September.
October:
Escorted fleet patrolling out of Truk north of the Solomons.
25-26 October: Battle of Santa Cruz
Escorted Admiral Abe's Vanguard Force.
Action - 25 October::
- 1245 Enemy recon plane sighted.
- Evening: Attacked by presumed Catalina flying boat and near-missed by bombs.
Action - 26 October:
In the defense of the Vanguard Force, engaged in anti-air action. ISOKAZE expended 131 5" and about 250 25mm machine-gun rounds.
28 October:
0400: Vanguard Force joined the Replenishment Group.
30 October:
Arrived at Truk. Carried out maintenance work and guard ship duty.
2-7 November:
Escorted KUMANO, and the battle-damaged ZUIHO and CHIKUMA from Truk to Japan, then docked for repairs at Sasebo.
10 November:
Lt (later LtCdr) Mori Tetsuji (Eng. 46) (former Division Officer of ASHIGARA) is appointed Chief Engineer. LtCdrHayashizaki is reassigned.
18 November:
ISOKAZE left drydock.
22 November:
Commander Toyoshima (to Naval Technical Dept., later Comdesdiv 53) relieved by Lieutenant Commander Kamiura Junnari [53] (prev. C.O. SAWAKAZE).
27 November:
Departed Sasebo with Crudiv 5 (MYOKO, HAGURO) for Yokosuka.
30 November-8 December:
Escorted MYOKO and HAGURO on troop transport mission from Yokosuka via Truk (5 December) to Rabaul; then back to Truk on 10 December.
12 December:
Departed Truk with carrier JUNYO acting as plane-guard in training operations. Returned same day.
16-20 December:
With AGANO and HAMAKAZE, escorted JUNYO out of Truk covering initial troop convoys to Wewak and Madang.
25-28 December:
Steamed from Truk to Rabaul.
3 January:
0400: A lonE B-17 attacked Rabaul. Again no damage received.
5 January: 7-8 January: 10 January: 12 January:
Action: 15 January: 16 January:
1900: Arrived at Kolombangara, unloaded and departed early next morning and returned to Shortlands. 2 February:
Retired under own power escorted by NAGATSUKI; later joined by KAWAKAZE (Desdiv 24) then currently out on anti-submarine patrol. KAWAKAZE took ISOKAZE in tow and NAGATSUKI was released to rejoin the destroyer force. 8 February: 7 March: 22-29 March: 15 April: 12 June: 15 June: 17 June: 5-8 July:
22 July:
1814: ISOKAZE arrived at Buin and disembarked survivors. 23 July: 29 July: 3 August: 4 August: 5 August: 17 August: 18 August: 26 August: 31 August: 1 September: 3 September: 4 September: 29 September: 2 October: 3 October: 7 October: 9 October: 10 October: 14 October: 19 October: 23 October: 26 October: 4 November: 6 November: 8 November: 15 November: 17 November: 18 November: 22 November-8 December: 15 December: 18 December:
22 December: 29 December: 2 January 1944: 3 January: 6-26 January: 1 February: 22-23 February: 11 March: 15 March: 19 March: 20 March: 27 March: 29 March:
31 March: 9 April: 15 April: 20 April: 1 May: 11 May: 16 May: 18 May: 22 May: 25 May: 9 June: 10 June: 13 June: 14 June: 15 June: 20 June: 22 June: 23 June: 25 June: 26 June: 1 July: 10 August: 14 August: 16 August: 20 August: 24 August: 26 August: 1 September:
29 September: 30 September: 2 October: 3 October: 7 October: 9-14 October: 15 October: 21 October:
23-25 October: Battle of Leyte Gulf 25 October: 27 October: 7 November: 21 November: 23 November:
29 November: 30 November: 1 December 1944: 5 December 1944: 28 December: 8 January: 9 January: 18 January: 23 Janury: 19 February: 20 February: 26 February: 1 March: 3 March: 5 March: 15 March: 17 March: 18 March: 19 March: 21 March: 28 March: 2 April: 6 April:
Sunk:
Cdr Maeda is later appointed XO of Onagawa Defense Corps, with additional duty as XO
of 14 th Assault Unit. Lt Shiraishi is later appointed Torpedo Officer of USHIO. Lt
Matsuoka is later appointed an Equipping Officer of ODAKE. Lt (j.g.) Koori is later
appointed Gunnery Officer of USHIO. Lt Suzuki is later appointed a Division Officer of
KATSURAGI. 8 February 2018
Click HERE to see a picture of the wreck that is umistakably one of the torpedo tube mounts. Since a shell hit on No.1 tube mount reportedly blew it up to sink the ship, this by inference is the after torpedo mount.
0728 and 0905: Large enemy bombers attacked Rabaul. ISOKAZE undamaged.
1300: Same day, with MAIKAZE attached, Desdiv 17 departed Rabaul and escorted troop convoy (Operation 18: BRAZIL MARU, NICHIRYU MARU, CLYDE MARU, CHIFUKU MARU and MYOKO MARU, lifting units of 51st Division) from Rabaul to Lae and back.
Action:
NICHIRYU MARU and MYOKO MARU lost in bombing attacks.
Action:
- 1025 A D3A of the 582nd Air Group reported a submerged submarine preparing to attack, and dropped three 60kg depth bombs. Destroyer MAIKAZE was led to it and dropped 95 depth-charges.
- 1045 The bow of the enemy submarine suddenly emerged from the sea. ISOKAZE joined MAIKAZE in shelling it till it sank. (This was a confirmed sinking and was USS ARGONAUT (APS-1) Convoy proceeded to Rabaul that same night.
1658 ISOKAZE and HAMAKAZE departed Rabaul for the Shortland Islands; arrived 0708 the next day.
14 January:
Troop transport run to Guadalcanal.
1400: Departed Shortlands with TANIKAZE, URAKAZE, MAIKAZE and AKIZUKI as the destroyer transport force, with the guard force comprised of HAMAKAZE, TOKITSUKAZE, ARASHI, and KUROSHIO.
- 2153 Attacked by enemy aircraft. No damaged received.
- Arriving off Guadalcanal engaged by enemy torpedo boats approximately thirteen in number. No damage received. Mission continued and offloaded proceeded.
0015: Cargo completed; departed Guadalcanal.
Action:
- Attacked by fifteen enemy dive-bombers from Henderson Field with strong fighter escort. ARASHI rendered unnavigable by near-miss damage to the rudder. TANIKAZE, URAKAZE, and HAMAKZE also damaged but ISOKAZE received none other than slight splinter damage from near-misses. MAIKAZE took ARASHI in tow.
- 1000 ISOKAZE arrived at Shortlands with URAKAZE and TANIKAZE.
- 2030 MAIKAZE towing ARASHI arrived at Shortlands.
1600: Arrived at Rabaul.
23 January:
Troop transport run to Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel Island, with MAIKAZE.
2140: Arrived at Rekata Bay; offloaded cargo.
2225: Departed for Shortlands; arrived the next day.
25 January:
Escorted troop transport KIZAN MARU to Kolombangara.
Action:
- 0905-1305: Atacked by enemy aircraft. No damage.
- 1340: ISOKAZE detected and depth-charged submarine contact.
1 February:
First Troop evacuation run to Guadalcanal.
2130: ISOKAZE arrived at Cape Esperance. Began to remove troops.
2330: Operation completed; departed with the others.
Action:
- 0550 Attacked by enemy aircraft. ISOKAZE remained undamaged.
Arrived back at Shortlands.
4 February:
Second Troop evacuation run to Guadalcanal.
Action:
- 1500 Received air attack. Repulsed.
- 2105: Arrived at Cape Esperance, evacuated more personnel, then departed and arrived back at Shortlands the next day.
7 February:
Departed Shortlands on Third Troop evacuation run, this time to Russell Islands and ISOKAZE was part of the Cover Force.
Action:
- 1545 Air attack. "Medium Damage:" ISOKAZE hit by two bombs forward, one in front of No.1 turret, and one behind it. Both exploded in No.1 crew berthing area [crew space], blowing up the forecastle deck between frames 17-50 and blowing out both sides of the destroyer between frames 20-40. By a stroke of fortune the keel and main deck in the area remained and she did not lose her bow. Ten dead. One enemy aircraft and one defensive Zero observed shot down in the action.
Arrived back at Shortlands in tow. Underwent emergency repairs. Then subsequently (date unclear) departed for Rabaul.
Mid-February:
Arrived at Rabaul and went alongside port side of repair ship YAMABIKO MARU (6,799 tons) for repairs to make more seaworthy for return home.
27 February-2 March:
Steamed from Rabaul to Truk; then more repairs.
Lt (j.g.) (LtCdr posthumously) Konno Tomoichi (69) is appointed Gunnery Officer. Lt Morioka is appointed an Equipping Officer of NIIZUKI.
Escorted aircraft transport KEIYO MARU (6,441 tons) from Truk to Kure.
8-22 April:
ISOKAZE drydocked at Kure for full repairs. Further repairs continued out of dock through 8 July.
Lt (later LtCdr) Okada Kenichi (Eng. 47) (former Division Officer of IZUMO) is appointed Chief Engineer. Lt Mori is reassigned.
Departed Kure for trial runs and training in the Inland Sea.
Served in Inland Sea as torpedo training target for attack planes of carrier SHOKAKU. During this, was struck by one torpedo in port bow, resulting in slight damage.
Captain Miyazaki Toshio (48) (former Staff, 2nd China Expeditionary Fleet) is appointed ComDesDiv 17. Captain Kitamura is reassigned.
Drydocked to repair practice torpedo damage.
10-15 July:
Escorted fleet from Japan to Truk.
19-21 July:
With HATSUZUKI escorted NISSHIN, MOGAMI, OYODO and AGANO on troop transport mission from Truk to Rabaul.
21 July:
2015: Departed with NISSHIN, HAGIKAZE and ARASHI on troop transport run to Shortlands.
Action:
- 1345 While approaching Buin the convoy is attacked by a mass of over 100 enemy aircraft. NISSHIN sank at 1403 after six bomb hits. ISOKAZE with HAGIKAZE rescued 189 survivors while ARASHI proceeded into Buin with 200 soldiers of the Nankai Detachment.
1930: Departed.
0835: Sighted one enemy aircrft. Same day ARASHI, HAGIKAZE, ISOKAZE returned to Rabaul.
24-26 July:
Escorted MOGAMI, OYODO and AGANO from Rabaul to Truk.
Departed Truk on assignment to escort tanker GENYO MARU (10,018 tons). Returned next day.
Departed Truk with auxiliary tanker KYOKUTO MARU (10,051 tons)
0440: Escort duty terminated.
0950: Rendezvoused with warships inbound to Truk Atoll.
Arrived at Truk Atoll.
6-8 August:
Escorted MYOKO and HAGURO from Truk to Rabaul.
0300: Departed Rabaul. RADM Ijuin Comdesron 3 in SUZANAMI led SHIGURE, and Desdiv 17 (HAMAKAZE, ISOKAZE) on troop transport run to Vella Lavella. Cover force for small-craft flotilla setting-up barge-staging base on Horaniu.
Action:
- 2058 Sighted and bombed by enemy planes for the next hour.
- 2235 Five enemy DDs sighted. Cover Force separated from barge unit and engaged the enemy with torpedoes and gunfire.
- 2250 ISOKAZE fired first salvo of seven torpedoes, then opened gunfire.
- 2310 ISOKAZE fired second salvo of seven torpedoes.
- 2320 Enemy appeared to retiring. Five minutes later, Cover Force discontinued operation and returned to Rabaul. Minor damage: due to single 5” shell hit.
Returned.
22 August:
Troop evacuation run to Rekata, aborted due to suspected enemy presence waiting.(A B-24 had been sighted at 0820)
25 August:
Resumed troop evacuation run to Rekata.
0040: Arrived at Rekata Bay.
0140: Unloading completed; departed.
Action:
- 1510 Attacked by a group of B-24 bombers. No damage received and two enemy bombers claimed shot down.
0600: Departed Rabaul on transport run to Tuluvu, New Britain.
2310: Arrived at Tuluv, unloaded.
2345: Mission completed, departed.
1000: Returned to Rabaul.
2215-0040: Enemy air attack at Rabaul. No damage received.
0711-1100 ISOKAZE maneuvered at sea as precaution.
Transport run to Buka.
28 September:
Troop evacuation run to Kolombangara(cover).
1740: Attacked by enemy aircraft, no damage.
2210: Arrived at Kolombangara.
0500: Contacted by enemy aircraft.
Arrived back at Rabaul.
1 October:
Troop evacuation run to Kolombangara.
0300: Departed Rabaul.(cover).
0930: Attacked by large bomber but no damage received.
2000: Friendly aircraft illuminated small enemy craft but held fire.
2030: Enemy aircraft dropped starshells near ISOKAZE and the others.
0730: Joined Transport Force.
1910: Separated from same.
1940: Observed enemy small surface craft.
2000: Opened fire on enemy aircraft.
2140: Received word Transport Force had completed mission so released to engage the enemy.
2214: Headed for reported enemy surface position but no contact made. Reversed course to return to port.
1215: Arrived at Rabaul.
6-7 October: Battle of Vella Lavella
0500: Departed Rabaul on troop evacuation run to Vella Lavella (cover).
Engaged U.S. destroyers, no damage received.
0930: Arrived back at Rabaul.
8 October:
0720: CinC Combined Fleet ordered "HEI Operation No.1 Alert." An amphbious operation to support Wake is organized comprised of Crudiv 14 (ISUZU, NAKA) KURITA MARU (tons), ASANAGI, Crudiv 7 (SUZUYA only) and Desdiv 10 and Desdiv 17 (ISOKAZE only) all temporarily assigned to the Inner South Sea Forces.
1500: Departed Rabaul. Escorted SUZUYA from Rabaul to Truk.
1300: Lone enemy B-24 attacked SUZUYA and ISOKAZE and was driven off by gunfire. No damage received.
0640: Truk vicinity; released to patrol.
1955: Arrived back at Truk. Remained at standby.
0620-2150: Carried out battle exercises outside the reef.
17 October:
1000: Departed Truk.
1250: Rendezvoused with and escorted fleet from Truk to Eniwetok in anticipation of U.S. carrier raids, then returned.
0400: Departed as for anti-sub sweep as approached Eniwetok.
0630: Rejoined fleet inside Eniwetok lagoon. Remained at anchor on standby status.
0500: Departed Eniwetok.
0720: Joined Main Body bound for Truk.
0820: Direct escort duty of Batdiv 1.
1200: Arrived with Batdiv 1 at Truk Atoll.
1 November:
Lieutenant Commander Kamiura relieved by Lieutenant Commander Maeda Saneho [56] (prev. C.O. IKAZUCHI).
Torpedo Officer Lt (j.g.) Seki is promoted Lt.
1-4 November:
1530: Departed Truk. Initially with URAKAZE, escorted troop convoy (2
0645: Arrived at Kavieng. At Kavieng with ISUZU assisted in shifting of cargo from crippled KIYOZUMI MARU.
0730: ISOKAZE began embarking soldiers and equipment of the Hayashio Force for transport. Then force departed Kavieng.
Action:
- 1418 ISUZU struck a magnetic mine with her bow that damaged the forward turrets and made them hard to traverse but was able to proceed. All ships went on anti-mine stations and made haste to leave the locale.
- 1627 While departing Kavieng with NAKA and the damaged ISUZU, in position bearing 148 degrees 2,700 meters from Edmago Island in Kavieng Harbor the ISOKAZE also struck a mine. The mine exploded against the port quarter near frame 160. The explosion left ISOKAZE "unable to operate in a combat state" and consisted of: Turbine damage that would require 2 days of repair; transmitter and steering engine badly damaged; Upper Deck buckled and both sides of ship wrinkled between frames 110 and 111; # 24 fuel oil tank ruptured; and main battery, compass, telephone system were all damaged. Finally the destroyer's maximum best speed cut to 16 knots. (Yet curiously all this is termed officially merely as "Medium Damage" Something to bear in mind when encountering this phrase.) 26 sailors and 24 soldiers were slightly wounded, but no other injuries to personnel. However ISOKAZE remained behind and had to disembark the Hayashio Force while ISUZU and NAKA proceeded to Rabaul. (At 2110 the also outbound surveying ship TSUKUSHI also struck mines and sank; as did her compatriot RYUOSAN MARU which foundered the next day)
The Rabaul-bound 8th Fleet out of Truk passes Kavieng, and learning of the situation, heavy cruiser CHOKAI detached to assist ISOKAZE and tow KIYOZUMI MARU.
1500: ISOKAZE departed Kavieng at medium speed for Truk with CHOKAI towing KIYOZUMI MARU.
1000: ISOKAZE limped into Truk for emergency repairs.
12-18 November:
0430: Accompanied by also damaged SHIRATSUYU departed from Truk to Kure.
Torpedo Officer Lt Seki is reassigned. A successor is not immediately appointed.
0330: ISOKAZE separated from SHIRATSUYU.
1820: Anchored at Heigun-jima anchorage, West Inland Sea.
0700: Departed and at 1000 arrived at Kure; then docked for repairs. (“X” turret probably removed/replaced by two triple 25mm mounts during this refit.)
Drydocked at Kure under repairs for mine damage.
Lt (LtCdr posthumously) Maekawa Shinichi (68) (former Torpedo Officer, YUGUMO) is appointed Torpedo Officer.
Captain (RAdm posthumously) Tanii Tamotsu (50) (former Staff, Fifth Fleet) is appointed
ComDesDiv 17. Captain Miyazaki is reassigned.
1000: Captain [Miyazaki or Tanii? Probably the latter] of ISOKAZE reported final repairs should be completed by 29 or 30 December and the destroyer ready to sail on 3 January. Of interest he remarked: "As for the radar, because of the conditions of assembling the equipment, we can only install the foundation at this time, but we are scheduled to receive the equipment on 7 January and after that it will take two weeks to install it. At that time, when the radar is complete, we would like to join our original unit."
Lt (j.g.) OkakitaAkimasa (69) is appointed Torpedo Officer. Lt Maekawa is reassigned.
0849: Departed Kure for Agenosho; arrived the same day. Carried out various trials and training in and out of Kure through the end of the year.
1944
0830: Departed Kure for Yokosuka. Drilled en-route.
1410: Arrived at Yokosuka, Tokyo Bay.
Escorted with HAMAKAZE transport ASAKA MARU (7,398 tons) from Yokosuka via Eniwetok (12 - 16 January) and Kwajalein (17-18 January); then back to Eniwetok (18-24 January) before returning to Truk at 0955 26 January.
0912 After leaving Truk joined others ships in anti-submarine sweep and search for survivors for the torpedoed UMIKAZE.
1-4 February:
Escorted fleet units from Truk to Palau; then returned to Truk on 8 February.
10-13 February:
Escorted fleet units from Truk to Palau.
16-21 February:
Escorted fleet units from Palau to Lingga.
Departed Linga for Singapore and then back again.
Departed Singapore on convoy escort duty for Palau.
Torpedo Officer Lt (j.g.) Okakita and Gunnery Officer Lt (j.g.) Konno are promoted Lt.
Convoy halted at position 04-33'S, 113-55'E. {No details given}
0400: Convoy left above position.
Convoy arrived at Palau.
1530: Desdiv 17 departed Palau escorting Combined Fleet flagship super-battleship MUSASHI for Lingga Roads to avoid imminent enemy carrier air attack. (Note: CinC Combined Fleet Admiral Koga had disembarked and remained at Palau and was not aboard)
Action:
- 1744 MUSASHI hit by one torpedo in port bow of a spread of six fired by enemy submarine (USS TUNNY SS-282). ISOKAZE had sighted the torpedoes and even attempted to intercept them; with URAKAZE at 1846 counter-attacked with 38 depth-charges dropped. The torpedo punched a large hole in the MUSASHI's bow and the super-battleship takes on 3,000 tons of water but is able to proceed unimpeded.
- After review of the damage MUSASHI ordered by 2nd Fleet Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo aboard ATAGO to be detached for homeland screened by SHIRATSUYU, FUJINAMI, and MICHISHIO. ISOKAZE reversed course to return to Palau vicinity.
1600: ISOKAZE returned to Palau after air-attack was over. Departed for and arrived at Davao the next day.
5 April:
2000: Departed Davao escorting navy convoy including Crudiv 5 MYOKO and HAGURO from Davao to Lingga.
1845: ISOKAZE arrived at Lingga Roads. Henceforth commenced intensive training in and out of anchorage for "A-GO" Operation.
Lt (j.g.) (later Admiral, JMSDF) Ito Shigeru (71) (former Crew, ISOKAZE) is appointed Navigator. Lt Tatsumi is reassigned.
Lt (j.g.) ShiraishiTohei (70) (former Torpedo Officer, HARUKAZE) is appointed Torpedo Officer. Lt Okakita is reassigned.
LtCdr Maeda is promoted Cdr. Torpedo Officer Lt (j.g.) Shiraishi is promoted Lt.
1600: Departed Lingga Roads and after training in the local area arrived at 1950 at the Pengelap anchorage.
12-15 May:
Escorted fleet from Lingga to Tawitawi.
0600: Departed Tawi Tawi.
1840: Arrived at Tarakan, Borneo.
0530: Departed Tarakan.
1800: Returned to Tawi Tawi.
0100: Departed Tawi-Tawi for anti-submarine patrol. Returned next evening.
ISOKAZE had guard ship duty in the anchorage.
1000: Departed with TANIKAZE in response to reports of enemy submarine activity and the sinking of HAYANAMI on 7 June. Destroyers SHIMAKAZE and HAYASHIMO joined up at times outside the lagoon. Most of these returned to Tawi Tawi lagoon at dusk but TANIKAZE and ISOKAZE were to remain at sea for the evening
Action:
- 2200 TANIKAZE and ISOKAZE sweeping together. The night was dark and quiet.
- 2225 TANIKAZE shaken with explosions that sank her immediately just outside Tawi Tawi Atoll. No submarine or aircraft had been detected. Since the cause was unknown ISOKAZE refrained from dropping depth-charges which would only endanger the survivors; but departed the scene at once.[TANIKAZE had in fact been torpedoed by USS HARDER SS- 257]
ISOKAZE and URAKAZE departed at daybreak to return to the scene of the disaster. Found 126 men still alive. Their testimony made clear an enemy submarine had been responsible.
1140: Returned to Tawi-Tawi with TANIKAZE's survivors. Some were sent to carrier TAIHO's sickbay for a time; the others remained aboard ISOKAZE.
0600: ISOKAZE departed Tawi-Tawi in advance of general fleet sortie for the Phillipine Sea. So urgent is the pending war situation that TANIKAZE's survivors have remained aboard.
1615: Arrived at Guimaras anchorage.
1900: Departed anchorage.
2100: Arrived at Bacolod, Northeast Negros Island. Here ISOKAZE disembarked the TANIKAZE survivors.
0045: Survivors offloaded; departed Bacolod.
0430: Arrived back at Guimaras Island anchorage.
0700: Desdiv 17 and the rest of the Mobile Fleet departed Guimaras Island for the eastern part of the Philippine Sea.
19-20 June: Battle of the Philippine Sea
Escorted Admiral Ozawa's Force A. Assisted the torpedoed TAIHO and helped rescue survivors.
Action:
- 0810 Mobile Fleet flagship carrier TAIHO hit by submarine torpedo in starboard bow but proceeded without difficulty. ISOKAZE remained as plane-guard while WAKATSUKI, AKIZUKI, and HATSUZUKI counter-attacked the submarine. (USS ALBACORE SS- )
- 1220 SHOKAKU observed torpedoed and set afire. However, ISOKAZE remained with TAIHO.
- 1432 Flagship carrier TAIHO suddenly exploded from internal av-gas vapor explosion and went dead in the water. Completely ablaze with all systems knocked out, little can be done. Abandonment of the carrier began shortly after 1500. ISOKAZE went right through burning oil and placed starboard bow against TAIHO's port quarter to remove survivors massed there. A large group including the carriers Executive Officer and Navigator transshiped to ISOKAZE.
- 1625 The TAIHO tilted sharply to port and ISOKAZE quickly cleared going full astern. Within five minutes the carrier sank. With AKIZUKI, HATSUZUKI, and WAKATSUKI rescued survivors. ISOKAZE's courage in going alongside was strongly commended.
Action:
- 1750-1820 Force A attacked by more than 100 aircraft. ISOKAZE defended ZUIKAKU with AA-fire. No damage received; but ZUIKAKU was set afire for a short time.
1655: Arrived at Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa.
1110: Departed for the homeland.
2310: Arrived at Hashirajima, West Inland Sea.
1000: Departed Hashirajima; arrived one hour later at Kure. Hereafter carried out repairs and maintenance work.
Lt (later LtCdr) Miwa Yunoshin (66) (former Gunnery Officer, NUMAKAZE) is appointed Gunnery Officer. Lt Konno is reassigned.
8-20 July:
Escorted KONGO, NAGATO and MOGAMI on troop transport mission from Kure to Okinawa, then via Manila to Lingga.
Temporarily attached to 1st Surface Escort Division.
0600: Departed Singapore with HAMAKAZE and CD-No.7 with large convoy SHIMI-05 for Miri, Borneo. Convoy comprised of TAKETOYO MARU, SEISHIN MARU, NANSEI MARU, TAIEI MARU, OYOKUYO MARU, ZUISHO MARU, KINRYU MARU, JUNGEN MARU, NORFOLK MARU, UGA MARU, GYOSAN MARU and KAITO MARU.
Action::
- 0200 In position 03-54'N, 112-58'E some 120 kilometers SE of Miri, ZUISHO MARU (5,289 tons) was torpedoed and sunk by enemy submarine. [USS RAY SS-]. It appears no counter depth-charge attack was made. It may have been believed to be a mine.
- 1230: Convoy arrived at Miri.
0900: HAMAKAZE and ISOKAZE departed Miri escorting convoy MISHI-06 to Singapore.
1850: Arrived at Singapore. Next day they departed againf for Borneo.
1430: Departed Kuchin, Borneo to return to Singapore.
1200: Returned to Singapore. Removed from the temporary assignment and returned to original duty with 1-YB at Lingga.
Desdiv 17 less YUKIKAZE (which had returned to Japan for repairs) refueled at Lingga Roads and hereafter carried out training in the vicinity.
Lt Suzuki Sadao (Eng. 49) (former Division Officer of NOSHIRO) is appointed Chief
Engineer. Lt Okada is reassigned.
12-19 September:
Steamed from Lingga with WAKATSUKI to Kure where arrived at 1600 to pick up FUSO and YAMASHIRO.
22 September:
Departed Kure escorting FUSO and YAMASHIRO from Kure to Lingga.
1300: Arrived with the battleships at Brunei Bay, Borneo. Refueled.
1350: Departed Brunei Bay for Lingga Roads.
1259: Desdiv 17, WAKATSUKI with YAMASHIRO and FUSO entered Johore Strait.
1400: Arrived at Seletar, Singapore.
1635: Departed Seletar.
2148: Arrived with the battleships at Lingga.
0600: Departed Lingga; 1200 arrived at Singapore.
ISOKAZE drydocked at Singapore for essential repairs.
Arrived back at Lingga Roads.
18-20 October:
Escorted fleet from Lingga to Brunei.
[It should be mentioned that Lt.Shiraishi Tohei of ISOKAZE took a famous series of important photographs of the massed Kurita fleet at Brunei on this day and the sortie to follow next morning. One photo shows the three Desdiv 17 team-mates from the starboard beam in a row and by implication is the last photo taken of URAKAZE.] [Note 1]
Escorted Admiral Kurita's 1st Diversion Attack Force.
In Battle off Samar on 25 October took part in torpedo attack on U.S. escort carriers and assisted in sinking of USS JOHNSTON (DD-557).
0915: ISOKAZE fired 8 torpedoes against enemy carriers. Beleived succesful attack.
With YUKIKAZE, only destroyers to remain with Admiral Kurita's fleet all the way back to Brunei.(The others refueled in relays to Coron)
1500-1700: While in Shinnan Gunto ISOKAZE and YUKIKAZE refueled from battleships NAGATO and HARUNA, each destroyer receiving 100 tons.
28 October:
2120: URAKAZE, ISOKAZE, YUKIKAZE arrived back at Brunei Bay. [One record says ISOKAZE arrived back at 0218 the 29th---possibly tarrying for an anti-sub sweep or refers to escorting in the damaged KISHINAMI which had hit a reef]
1400: At Brunei with First Striking Force. Enemy B-24 sighted overflying harbor and fired upon. No damage received.
9-12 November:
Escorted fleet out of Brunei into Sulu Sea in support of Leyte troop transport operations.
15 November:
Desdiv 17 reassigned to Desron 2, Second Fleet.
16 November:
1820: With YAHAGI, Desdiv 17 departed and escorted YAMATO, NAGATO and KONGO from Brunei to Kure.
Action:
- 0301-0304 Task Force attacked in northen Formosa Straits by submarine USS SEALION-II. (SS-315) Desdiv 17 leader URAKAZE blown apart and sunk with all hands (approximately 305 officers and men); KONGO struck by two torpedoes but is able to proceed. ISOKAZE and HAMAKAZE remained with Task Force while YUKIKAZE hunted the submarine. The three battleships continued north at 16 knots.
- 0440: Since KONGO reported difficulty in controlling flooding the battleship was detached and ISOKAZE and HAMAKAZE assigned to convoy her to Keelung for temporary repairs. However, KONGO en-route soon became unnavigable and went dead in the water.
- 0524 KONGO capsized to port, blew up, and sank. ISOKAZE rescued the senior survivor (Secondary Battery Officer, LtCdr. Takahata Yutaka [61] ) and five other officers and eighty-five petty officers and men. (HAMAKAZE rescued the remainder: seven officers and 139 men)
0850: YAMATO advises 1-YB will drift at a temporary anchorage. Desdiv 17 directed to immediately come alongside to top off fuel from YAMATO. Rescued personnel from KONGO to be transhipped to YAHAGI.
0915: YUKIKAZE and ISOKAZE directed by Comdesdiv 17 to go alongside YAMATO to starboard to refuel and HAMAKAZE to port. During the refueling KONGO survivors were to be boated over to YAHAGI.
1400: Desdiv 17 arrived at Kure. They radio that no survivors had been found from URAKAZE and that Desdiv 17 is without a commander. (ComDesDiv 17 Captain Tanii Tamotsu is posthumously promoted RAdm. A new ComDesDiv 17 is not immediately appointed.)
1455: Dediv 17 directed to after replenishment to escort NAGATO to Yokosuka.
2030: Desdiv 17 assigned to standby to escort super-carrier SHINANO to Kure upon arrival at Yokosuka with NAGATO.
25 November:
1440: NAGATO, YAHAGI, ISOKAZE, YUKIKAZE, and HAMAKAZE arrived at Yokosuka.
28 November:
1000: Departed Yokosuka. Desdiv 17 escorted SHINANO from Yokosuka towards Inland Sea.
2250: Detected suspected enemy submarine paralleling the force's course. Turned at high speed to investigate but was recalled by SHINANO's Captain.
Action:
- 0309 29 November SHINANO hit by four torpedoes from USS ARCHERFISH, but initially is able to proceed.
- 0730 SHINANO unnavigable. List to starboard is so great can no longer draw in and process boiler feed water.
- 0745 SHINANO flashed request to HAMAKAZE and ISOKAZE to approach to attempt to take in tow by the bow.
- 0850 HAMAKAZE and ISOKAZE took in tow, and building to 3 knots tried to move toward Cape Ushio to beach her. However, the strain grows too great and cables part. Further attempts are unavailing. The tow has to be abandoned.
- 1057 SHINANO rolled to starboard and turned completely bottom up and sank. ISOKAZE with HAMAKAZE and YUKIKAZE rescued 1,080 survivors between them.
1330: HAMAKAZE, ISOKAZE, and YUKIKAZE arrived at near Kure carrying the SHINANO survivors. The survivors are disembarked in great secrecy to accomodations at the naval district island of Mitsuko-jima outside of Kure Bay.
1700: Arrived at Kure harbor.
Navigator Lt (j.g.) Ito is promoted Lt.
Captain ShintaniKiichi (50) (former Chief-of-Staff, DesRon 10) is appointed ComDesDiv 17.
HAMAKAZ, ISOKAZE, SHIGURE, and YUKIKAZE assembled at Moji to escort convoy HI-87.
31 December:
0600: Departed Moji, escorting RYUHO and Convoy HI-87 to Formosa.[Note: A last minute issue with the main steam pipe caused YUKIKAZE to be left behind and have to return to Kure.]
1945
0430: Desdiv 17 flagship HAMAKAZE is rammed by a Maru and damaged; as a result at 0900 Comdesdiv 17 flag is transferred to ISOKAZE. Thereafter ISOKAZE escorted the crippled HAMAKAZE toward Mako, then proceeded to Takao.
At Takao. Repulsed enemy carrier aircraft attack.
12-18 January:
Escorted RYUHO from Keelung to Kure. SHIGURE remained with the convoy.
0930: ISOKAZE and RYUHO arrived at Kure.
1546: Met HAMAKAZE arriving in Western Inland Sea then escorted her to Kure.
January-February 1945:
Upkeep and training in the Inland Sea.
ISOKAZE Departed Kure; arrived off Otsu-shima.
Lt (j.g.) (later Lt) Koori Shigeo (72) (former Crew, SHOKAKU) is appointed Navigator. Lt Ito is reassigned.
Desdiv 17 arrived at Hashirajima. Joined YAMATO.
VADM Ito reports training exercises are completed and his 1-YB force of YAMATO, YAHAGI and ten destroyers is ready for any assignment and action.
For ISOKAZE Lt Matsuoka Yasushi (71) (former Division Officer, JUNYO) is appointed Gunnery Officer. Lt Miwa is appointed Chief Equipping Officer of fast transport T-20.
0600: ISOKAZE and HAMAKAZE re-supplied from YAHAGI.
0900: ISOKAZE and HAMAKAZE departed Hashirajima for Oita area to conduct air exercises.
0100: Desdiv 17 departed Oita to go off Tosa (east of Shokoku) but because the weather is bad, planned exercise for aircraft training is cancelled.
0800: ISOKAZE and YUKIKAZE left Hashirajima for Kure to undertake repair and maintenance work. Comdesdiv 17 flag transferred from ISOKAZE to HAMAKAZE before departure.
0900: Desron 2 conducted exercises at Ostsushima for torpedo launching practice.
1813: Ten-Ichi-Go procedure orders issued.
ISOKAZE with YAHAGI, and YUKIKAZE at Kure for maintenance.
0225: YAMATO ordered all Desron 2 units to depart immediately from present locations and rejoin YAMATO at Hiroshima Bay.
1602: Above order cancelled for Kure; ships at Kure (YAHAGI, ISOKAZE, YUKIKAZE, HATSUSHIMO, ASASHIMO, TAKE, KAEDE) to instead remain there on standby alert.
Action:
- 0730 to 1200 and again at 1630. Kure harbor and adjacent anchorages attacked by a mass of enemy carrier-planes. ISOKAZE engaged with gunfire. She incurred no damage.
1300: Comdesdiv 17 flag transferred back to ISOKAZE.
1019: By order of Combined Fleet Dispatch Order 589 1-YB (YAMATO, YAHAGI and Desron 2) is designated the First Attack Force.
1730: ISOKAZE with YAMATO and the rest of the First Attack Force departed Kure.
At Mitajari temporary anchorage, YAMATO, YAHAGI, and destroyers HATSUSHIMO, KASUMI, FUYUZUKI, SUZUTSUKI, ISOKAZE, HAMAKAZE and YUKIKAZE have assembled. This is a spot 25 miles west of Hashirajima anchorage. ASASHIMO joins them after a delay from engine trouble.
0751 Combined Fleet radioed for First Attack Force to depart Bungo Strait for enemy beachhead at Okinawa at a time of VADM Ito's discretion.
1518: Departed. Debouched from Bungo Strait and headed for Okinawa. Projected to arrive at the target area early on 8 April, set as "Y" Day.
6-7 April:
Escorted YAMATO from Inland Sea on attack mission towards Okinawa.
Action:
- 1228 Enemy carrier raids begin. YAMATO and YAHAGI bombed and torpedoed.
- 1246 Flagship of Desron 2 YAHAGI torpedoed and went dead in the water.
- 1328 ISOKAZE attempted to come alongside stalled YAHAGI, approaching port bow to transfer the ComDesron 2 flag. Forced to abort attempt and pull clear due to resumed air attack.
- 1356 ISOKAZE again attempted to approach crippled YAHAGI from port but was attacked by dive-bombers. No direct hit received but a mortal near-miss breached the plating and floods the port engine room. YAHAGI is struck at the same time by a flurry of bombs and torpedoes and sank twelve minutes later. ISOKAZE was in no condition to attempt to rescue the survivors, and was becoming unnavigable. Attempted to withdraw northwards at 12 knots.
- 1630: While attempting to retire finally lost steering control and propulsive power due to increasing flooding from near-miss. A request to be towed was denied and the destroyer was ordered to be sunk.
- 1910: Flag was lowered and ISOKAZE officially abandoned shp. YUKIKAZE removed 285 survivors including ComDesDiv 17 Captain Shintani, Cdr Maeda, Torpedo Officer Lt Shiraishi, Gunnery Officer Lt Matsuoka, Navigator Lt (j.g.) Koori, and Chief Engineer Lt Suzuki.
-2240: Scuttled by YUKIKAZE with gunfire targeting the torpedo mounts which exploded. ISOKAZE went down 150 miles southwest of Nagasaki (30-46 N, 128-92 E). She had suffered 20 dead and 54 wounded.
25 May 1945:
Removed from Navy List.
It was revealed by Japanese media that the wreck of the ISOKAZE had been found by the Fukuda Salvage & Marine Works company and identified. Very few details have emerged, but the limited information strongly suggests part of the after amidships if not all of the wreck is approximately upright on the bottom. (Which is consistent with the majority of destroyer wrecks of varied navies found thus far)Notes & Remarks:
Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Anthony Tully, Bill Somerville, and Matthew Jones for contributing from their works to this TROM.
