KIDO BUTAI
IJN RYUJO: Tabular Record of Movement
© 1999 Anthony P. Tully (posted 1/10/2000)
Revised Enhanced Edition:
© March 2012 Anthony P. Tully and Gilbert Casse
© September 2021 Anthony P. Tully and Matthew Jones
26 November 1929:
Yokohama. Laid down at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Dockyard as an 8,000-ton
light aircraft carrier.
2 April 1931:
Launched and named RYUJO (“Prancing Dragon”). For general particulars
layout as completed and subsequent alterations see new RYUJO Data page .
That same date, Captain (later VAdm) Hara Goro (35) (former CO of Yokosuka Air Group) is appointed
Chief Equipping Officer.
25 April 1931:
Towed to Yokosuka Navy Yard for fitting-out.
1 December 1931:
Captain (later RAdm) Matsunaga Toshio (37) (former XO & Chief Instructor of
Kasumigaura Air Group) is appointed Chief Equipping
Officer. Captain Hara is reassigned.
LtCdr/P (later Cdr/P) Asai Masuichi (Pay. 7) is appointed an Equipping Officer.
8 February 1932:
LtCdr/P (later RAdm/P) Maida Chikaji
(Pay. 6) (currently on the Staff of Yokosuka Navy Yard’s Shipbuilding Bureau)
relieves LtCdr/P Asai as an
Equipping Officer. LtCdr/P Asai
is appointed Paymaster of Yokosuka Air Group the following day.
1 April 1932:
Lt/S (later Captain/S) Tashiro Kyosuke
(1924) (former Surgeon, DesDiv 28) is appointed an
Equipping Officer.
1 June 1932:
LtCdr/P (later Captain/P) Hori Naoe (Pay. 8) (former
Paymaster, YURA) relieves LtCdr/P Maida as an Equipping Officer. LtCdr/P Maida
resumes full-time duty with Yokosuka Navy Yard.
2 June 1932:
LtCdr/S (RAdm/S posthumously) Kawada Masashi (1923) (former Crew, MUROTO)
relieves Lt/S Tashiro as an Equipping Officer. Lt/S Tashiro is reassigned.
14 July 1932:
Lt (later Captain) Nagaya Shigeru (48) is appointed an Equipping Officer.
20 July 1932:
Lt/S (later Captain/S) Fukuyama Kunihiro (1923)
(former Surgeon, YAKUMO) relieves LtCdr/S Kawada as an Equipping Officer. In a
change-of-post swap, LtCdr/S Kawada is appointed Surgeon of YAKUMO.
6 August 1932:
Lt/P (later Captain/P) Kuraki Riichi
(Pay. 12) (former Paymaster, NATORI) relieves LtCdr/P Hori as an Equipping
Officer. LtCdr/P Hori is reassigned.
15 November 1932:
LtCdr (later Captain) Kagayama
Hokao (45) (former Operations Officer, NARUTO) is
appointed an Equipping Officer.
1 December 1932:
Equipping Officer Lt Nagaya is promoted LtCdr.
Lt/S (later Cdr/S) Moriya Kazuo (1925) (former Surgeon, DesDiv
3) relieves Lt/S Fukuyama as an Equipping Officer. Lt/S Fukuyama is reassigned.
LtCdr/P (later Captain/P) Yamada Hisakichi (Pay. 6) (former
Paymaster, Yokosuka Air Group) relieves Lt/P Kuraki
as an Equipping Officer. Lt/P Kuraki is appointed
Paymaster of DesDiv 2.
1 April 1933:
LtCdr/S (RAdm/S posthumously) Kimura Masao (1925) (former Surgeon, KAMOI)
relieves Lt/S Moriya as an Equipping Officer.
Lt (later Captain) Ishisaka Takeo (50) (former
Navigator, KAMOI) and Lt (later Captain) Deguchi
Shigeru (51) (former Navigator, SETA) are appointed Equipping Officers.
2 April 1933:
Cdr (later VAdm) Kira
Shunichi (40) (former Air Officer, AKAGI) is appointed an Equipping Officer.
3 April 1933:
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Saito Motokata (Eng. 24)
(former Chief Engineer, DesDiv 29), LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Miyazaki Yukitake
(Eng. 27), and LtCdr (later Cdr) Baba Atsuma (46) (former Adjutant of Tateyama Air Group) are
appointed Equipping Officers.
9 May 1933:
Completed and commissioned into Imperial Japanese Navy. Begins her sea trials.
Initial Command Structure:
Commanding
Officer: Captain Matsunaga Toshio (37)
Executive Officer: Cdr
Kira Shunichi (40)
Operations Officer: LtCdr Kagayama Hokao (45)
Gunnery Officer: LtCdr
Nagaya Shigeru (48)
Navigator: Lt Ishisaka Takeo (50)
Chief
Engineer: LtCdr
(Eng.) Saito Motokata (Eng. 24)
Maintenance
Officer: LtCdr
(Eng.) Miyazaki Yukitake (Eng. 27)
Damage Control Officer: Vacant
Surgeon: LtCdr/S
Kimura Masao (1925)
Paymaster: LtCdr/P Yamada Hisakichi (Pay. 6)
Communications Officer: Lt
Deguchi Shigeru (51)
Air Officer: LtCdr Baba Atsuma (46)
June – September 1933:
Undergoes further sea trials and training exercises for her air group
consisting of 9 Mitsubishi Type 13 B1M2 (+3 spares) attack aircraft and 3
Nakajima Type 3 (+2 spares) A1N1 fighters. A maximum speed of 29 knots is
achieved but the vessel is deemed very wet under moderate sea conditions due to
much shipping water by the bows and a general lack of stability. September
finds her operating with HOSHO in Ise Bay.
25 August 1933:
Cdr (later VAdm) Takenaka Ryuzo (39) (former XO of Omura
Air Group) is appointed XO. Cdr Kira is reassigned.
1 September 1933:
Gunnery Officer LtCdr Nagaya is reassigned. A successor is not immediately
appointed.
3 October 1933:
LtCdr (RAdm posthumously) Kamei Yoshio (46) (former Air Officer, Yokosuka Air
Group) is appointed Air Officer. LtCdr Baba is appointed Air Officer of KAGA.
10 October 1933:
LtCdr (RAdm posthumously) Konishi Seizo (46) (former Gunnery Officer, YAMASHIRO) is
appointed Gunnery Officer.
20 October 1933:
Captain (later VAdm) Kuwabara
Torao (37) (former CO of NOTORO) is appointed CO.
Captain Matsunaga is reassigned.
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Shinozaki Isoji (Eng.
28) is appointed Maintenance Officer. LtCdr (Eng.) Miyazaki is appointed
Maintenance Officer of Sasebo Air Group.
1 November 1933:
Lt (later Captain) Mitsui Masayoshi (48) (former Operations Officer, NARUTO) is
appointed Operations Officer. LtCdr Kagayama is appointed Operations Officer of YAKUMO.
15 November 1933:
Chief Engineer LtCdr (Eng.) Saito is promoted Cdr (Eng.). Operations Officer Lt
Mitsui is promoted LtCdr.
Cdr/S (later Captain/S) Arai Hajime (1919) (former Surgeon, KAMOI) is appointed
Surgeon. LtCdr/S Kimura is reassigned.
1 December 1933:
LtCdr/P (later Captain/P) Matsunoya
Takesaburo (Pay. 9) (former Paymaster, JINGEI) is
appointed Paymaster. LtCdr/P Yamada is appointed Paymaster of Yokosuka Air
Group.
11 December 1933:
LtCdr (later Captain) Yamanaka Ryutaro (49) is appointed Air Group
Commander.
12 March 1934: The Tomozuru incident:
Around 0412 the torpedo boat TOMOZURU capsizes during a typhoon that struck the
21st Torpedo Flotilla during exercises. The Navy investigates the cause and
concludes the capsizing of TOMOZURU has been due to a high metacentric height.
A committee is established to inspect the stability of all vessels. As a result
of the inspection, the Navy discovers a lack of rolling performance, among
others, for several vessels, including RYUJO.
26 May 1934:
RYUJO enters dock at Kure Naval Yard for a refit and extensive modifications to
address stability problems. Changes include, but not limited to, relocation
higher and curving of the funnels, widening of the flight deck between the
forward 12.7-cm mountings, and removal of the aft two-twin 12.7-cm AA gun
mountings to reduce top weight. Those are replaced at the same location by
two-twin Type 96 25 mm AA guns mountings.
20 June 1934:
Operations Officer LtCdr Mitsui is appointed an Equipping Officer of MOGAMI. A
successor is not immediately appointed.
18 July 1934:
Lt (later Captain) Shima Koshiro (50) (former Gunnery
Officer, SHIRATAKA) is appointed Operations Officer.
20 August 1934:
Refit is completed. Displacement is increased to 10,600-tons standard.
Undocked.
E September-October 1934:
Undergoes new trials that show some stability improvement, but the carrier
still ships much water in moderate sea conditions and seaworthiness shows only
little improvement. Her aircraft complement consists of 9 Mitsubishi Type 13
B1M2 attack aircraft, 6 Nakajima Type 3 A1N1 and 6 Nakajima Type 90 A2N1
fighters.
22 October 1934:
Gunnery Officer LtCdr Konishi
is appointed Gunnery Officer of AKAGI. A successor is not immediately
appointed.
1 November 1934:
Cdr (RAdm
posthumously) Higuchi Hiroshi (40) (former XO of Shanghai Special Naval Landing
Force (SNLF)) is appointed XO. Cdr Takenaka is
reassigned.
Navigator Lt Ishisaka is reassigned. A successor is
not immediately appointed.
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Yamakawa Yoshio (Eng. 29) is appointed Maintenance Officer.
LtCdr (Eng.) Shinozaki is appointed Maintenance Officer of Saeki Air Group.
Lt (LtCdr posthumously) Hayashida
Yoshio (52) (former Communications Officer, NOTORO) is appointed Communications
Officer. Lt Deguchi is appointed Communications
Officer of Saeki Air Group.
LtCdr (later Captain) Saito Masahisa (47) is appointed Air Officer. LtCdr Kamei
is appointed Air Officer of KAGA.
15 November 1934:
Assigned to RAdm (later VAdm)
Katagiri Eikichi (34)
(former Chief-of-Staff, Sasebo Naval District)’s newly-activated CarDiv 2.
Captain (later VAdm) Ono Ichiro (38) (former CO of Omura Air Group) is appointed CO. Captain Kuwabara is reassigned.
LtCdr (later Captain) Sadohara
Chikamitsu (46) (former Gunnery Officer, JINGEI) is
appointed Gunnery Officer.
LtCdr (Cdr posthumously) Shimomura Shuzo (50) (former
Third Fleet Adjutant) is appointed Navigator.
Cdr (Eng.) Kishi Heiji
(Eng. 22) (former Chief Engineer, DesDiv 8) is
appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr (Eng.) Saito is reassigned.
LtCdr/S (RAdm/S
posthumously) Otagawa Hajime (1920) (former Surgeon,
NAKA) is appointed Surgeon. Cdr/S Arai is reassigned.
LtCdr/P (later Captain/P) Sato Akira (Pay. 9) (former Paymaster, NACHI) is
appointed Paymaster. LtCdr/P Matsunoya
is reassigned.
December 1934:
RYUJO is selected to test carrier-based dive-bombing tactics. Her
aircraft complement consists of 6 (+2 spares) Nakajima Type 90 E4N3-C
carrier-bombers, 6 (+2 spares) Yokosuka Type 92 B3Y1 attack planes and 12(+4
spares) Nakajima Type 90 A2N1 fighters.
February 1935:
After more than one month of intensive dive-bombing testing, the E4N3-C plane
is deemed too fragile and unsuitable for that task. A new plane, the Type 94
Aichi D1A1 is to be intensively tested from airfield nearby Kure Naval Base in
the following months. This latter aircraft will become the first Japanese
dive-bomber, carrier-based aircraft.
21 June 1935:
Communications Officer Lt Hayashida is relieved of
duty and dies of unknown causes on 19 August. A successor is not immediately
appointed.
18 July 1935:
Lt (Captain posthumously) Horii Michio (54) is appointed Communications
Officer.
September 1935: The Combined Fleet’s Great Maneuvers:
RYUJO is attached to the Fourth Fleet in the “Red Fleet”. Exercises are
conducted in the NW Pacific between Japan and the Kuriles. RYUJO serves with
light carrier HOSHO.
25 September 1935: The “Fourth Fleet Incident”:
Hokkaido. The fleet departs Hakodate and steams into the NW Pacific
where it encounters a major typhoon. Light carriers RYUJO and HOSHO, several
cruisers and destroyers suffer damage to their flight decks and superstructure,
RYUJO also suffers the flooding of its hangar. The bridge area is heavily
buckled and dished in below the windows.
11 October 1935:
Arrives at Kure. Enters dock at the Naval Yard for repairs and refit. Reduced
to a reserve ship class status.
October 1935 – May 1936:
To improve the ship’s seaworthiness, her forecastle is raised one deck higher
by 3.1 m (10 ft) and some flair added to prevent shipping waters in heavy seas.
The arrester wires are modernized to stop a 6,000-kg (13,000-lb) aircraft. The
bridge and front flight deck are rounded; this modification shortens the flight
deck by 2 m (6.5 ft).
15 October 1935:
Cdr (VAdm posthumously) Hasegawa Kiichi
(42) (former Division Officer, Sasebo Air Group) is appointed XO. Cdr Higuchi
is appointed XO of KAGA.
Lt (later Captain) Kozono Yasuna
(51) is appointed Air Group Commander. LtCdr Yamanaka is reassigned.
21 October 1935:
Lt (Captain posthumously) Murai Sadatoshi
(50) (former Navigator, AOBA) is appointed Navigator. LtCdr Shimomura is
appointed Navigator of MOGAMI.
LtCdr (Cdr posthumously) Hidaka Saneyasu
(49) is appointed Air Officer. LtCdr Saito is appointed Air Officer of AKAGI.
31 October 1935:
Captain (later VAdm) Kira
Shunichi (40) (former CO of Ominato Air Group) is appointed CO. Captain Ono is
reassigned.
LtCdr/P (later Cdr/P) Tsuji Tadaomi
(Pay. 7) (former Paymaster, KAKO) is appointed Paymaster. LtCdr/P Sato is
reassigned.
15 November 1935:
LtCdr (Cdr posthumously) Nakano Kenichi (51) is
appointed Gunnery Officer. LtCdr Sadohara
is appointed Gunnery Officer of KAGA.
Navigator Lt Murai is promoted LtCdr.
Cdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Kawaoka Sanjuro (Eng. 24) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr (Eng.) Kishi is reassigned.
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Yamada Jiro (Eng. 29) is appointed Maintenance
Officer. LtCdr (Eng.) Yamakawa is appointed
Maintenance Officer of Kure Air Group.
LtCdr/S (later Captain/S) Kakisaka
Kensuke (1921) (former Surgeon, DesDiv 12) is
appointed Surgeon. LtCdr/S Otagawa
is reassigned to the Staff of Kure Naval Hospital.
31 May 1936:
Refit is completed. Undocked.
June – August 1936:
Sea trials are conducted, confirming a definite improvement on
seaworthiness in light and moderate sea conditions. Other trials are undertaken
regarding bomb-diving tactics with 12 (+4 spares) Aichi Type 94 D1A “Susie”
carrier-bombers. The latter are also deemed satisfactory. Her aircraft
complement also consists of 24 (+8 spares) Nakajima A4N1 fighters.
1 June 1936:
LtCdr (Cdr posthumously) Okumura Tokifumi
(50) (former Gunnery Officer, YURA) is appointed Gunnery Officer. LtCdr Nakano
is reassigned.
September 1936:
Returns to active duty as flagship of RAdm (later VAdm) Sato Saburo (34) (former
Chief of Naval Air Command’s Technology Bureau)’s CarDiv
1 with Captain (later VAdm) Sakamaki
Munetaka (41) (former CO of NOTORO)’s light carrier
HOSHO. Her aircraft complement consists of Yokosuka Type 92 B3Y1 attack planes,
Aichi Type 94 D1A1 “Susie” carrier-bombers and Nakajima Type 90 A2N1 fighters
due to shortage of the A4N1 version.
29 October 1936:
Participates in fleet maneuvers near Kobe where the new dive-bombing tactics
are deemed satisfactory. Thereafter, the Navy makes decision to specialize
RYUJO in dive-bombing and to transfer her attack planes to the other carriers.
16 November 1936:
Captain (later VAdm) Abe Katsuo
(40) (former CO of TAMA) is appointed CO. Captain Kira is reassigned.
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Masuoka Masuzo (Eng. 28) (former Maintenance Officer, Kanoya Air Group) is appointed Maintenance Officer. LtCdr
(Eng.) Yamada is appointed Maintenance Officer of Saeki Air Group.
LtCdr (later Captain) Kobayashi Yoshito (49) is
appointed Air Officer. LtCdr Hidaka is appointed Air Officer of Kanoya Air Group and is killed in an airplane crash on 8
February 1937.
1 December 1936:
RAdm (later Admiral) Takasu
Shiro (35) (former N-3 of the Naval General Staff) is
appointed ComCarDiv 1. RAdm Sato is promoted VAdm and appointed Director of the Naval College.
Cdr (later RAdm) Furukawa Tamotsu (43) (former XO of
Saeki Air Group) is appointed XO. Cdr Hasegawa is promoted Captain and
appointed CO of Kure Air Group.
LtCdr (later Captain) Kudo Hakaru
(50) (former Operations Officer, IZUMO) is appointed Operations Officer. Lt
Shima is promoted LtCdr and reassigned.
LtCdr (later Captain) Ishisaka
Takeo (50) is appointed Navigator for a second time. LtCdr
Murai is appointed Navigator of NACHI.
Cdr (Eng.) (later RAdm) Yatsugi
Arito (Eng. 27) (former Staff Officer of Sasebo Navy
Yard’s Shipbuilding Bureau) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr (Eng.) Kawaoka is reassigned.
LtCdr/S (later Captain/S) Nose Fusao (1922) (former
Surgeon, MAYA) is appointed Surgeon. LtCdr/S Kakisaka is reassigned.
LtCdr/P Takahashi Tadao
(Pay. 8) (former Paymaster, TAKAO) is appointed Paymaster. LtCdr/P Tsuji is
reassigned.
LtCdr (later Captain) Mitsui Atsushi (50) (former Communications Officer, AOBA)
is appointed Communications Officer. Lt Horii is appointed Communications
Officer of Tateyama Air Group.
Air Group Commander Lt Kozono is promoted LtCdr.
15 April 1937:
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Suzuyama Sada (Eng. 31) (former Maintenance Officer, Kanoya Air Group) is appointed Maintenance Officer. In a
change-of-post swap, LtCdr (Eng.) Masuoka is
appointed Maintenance Officer of Kanoya Air Group.
3 June 1937:
LtCdr (later Captain) Maeda Kanji (50) (former Secondary Gunnery Officer,
AKAGI) is appointed Gunnery Officer. LtCdr Okumura is reassigned.
7 July 1937: The Marco Polo Bridge (Sino-Japanese) Incident:
Lugouqiao, China. Japanese troops on night maneuvers
scuffle with Chinese troops. On the flimsy pretext of a missing soldier,
Japanese demand entry to a suburb of Beijing to look for him, but the Chinese
refuse. The Japanese then shell the city and an undeclared war on China begins.
28 July 1937:
Lt (Eng.) (later Cdr) Torii Takeo (Eng. 33) (former Chief Engineer,
SHIMAKAZE) is appointed Damage Control Officer.
11 August 1937:
Late evening. CarDiv 1 departs Sasebo for China.
13 August 1937:
At 0800, RYUJO and HOSHO drop anchor off Shanghai.
15 August 1937:
CarDiv’s 1 RYUJO and HOSHO are joined by CarDiv 2’s KAGA in the East China Sea as part of VAdm (later Admiral) Hasegawa Kiyoshi’s (31) (former
Vice-Minister of the Navy)’s 3rd Fleet and begins supporting military
operations along the central China coast around Shanghai and further inland.
The IJN's air power in-theater at this time only comprises about 80
carrier-based planes. RYUJO’s air group consists of 15 D1A1 “Susie”
carrier-bombers and 12 (+4 spares) A4N1 fighters.
16 August 1937:
RYUJO and HOSHO launch joint strike again Chinese airfields near Shanghai.
RYUJO contributes D1A1 carrier-bombers loaded with 60kg bombs and target Hia-King Airfield, 50-miles NW of Shanghai. Intercepted by
Chinese Curtiss Hawks IIIs, they are forced to jettison their bomb load. 2
Chinese fighters are claimed by the attackers for no losses. In the afternoon
another raid against a railroad bridge located between Shanghai and Sou-Tcheou is aborted due to bad weather conditions.
17 August 1937:
RYUJO’s D1A1 carrier-bombers successfully destroy the Chinese HQ building
located in Shanghai with a 250kg bomb hit.
18 August 1937:
RYUJO’s D1A1 carrier-bombers and HOSHO’s B3Y1 attack planes successfully bomb
and destroy Ten-Ji College located in Shanghai where Chinese troops are
stationed.
19 August 1937:
6 D1A1s from RYUJO bomb Cha-Hsing Airfield.
22 August 1937:
4 A4N1s from RYUJO bounce 18 Chinese Curtiss Hawks III near Pao-Shan; 5 of them
are shot down for no losses.
23 August 1937:
At 0840, 4 A4N1s take off from RYUJO and engage again near Pao-Shan a mix-group
of 19 Chinese Curtiss Hawks III and Boeing 281 from the 17th PS; 2 of the
latter type are shot down for no losses.
27 August 1937:
One D1A1 and its crew are lost while bombing artillery troops barracks 25 miles
NW of Shanghai.
28 August 1937:
Another D1A1 and its crew are lost over Chinese territory.
1 September 1937:
CarDiv 1 departs Shanghai.
2 September 1937:
CarDiv 1 arrives at Sasebo.
3-4 September 1937:
Resupplied with spare aircraft and ammunition and refueled.
5 September 1937:
CarDiv 1 departs Sasebo.
21 September 1937:
Sails with light carrier HOSHO to the South China coast and begins operations
against Chinese forces near Canton. 12D1A1 escorted by 9 A4N1, target that
city. Intercepted by Curtiss Hawk III fighters, the Japanese claim six
victories. (However, no Chinese records mention this attack.) Later in the day,
RYUJO’s fighters are intercepted by 3 Chinese Hawk III. 1 is shot down.
22~30 September 1937:
RYUJO and HOSHO’s aircraft fly almost daily attack missions in Canton’s
vicinity, but do not participate in KAGA's strikes against the Chinese fleet at
Koin.
3 October 1937:
CarDiv 1 departs Canton waters for Shanghai area.
5 October 1937:
CarDiv 1 arrives off Shanghai.
6 October 1937:
RYUJO’s planes are detached to Kunda Airfield for
providing aerial protection of land operations in the Shanghai and Nanking
areas.
17 October 1937:
RYUJO receives HOSHO’s aircraft as the latter departs Shanghai’s area for
Japan.
E November 1937:
Departs Shanghai area and arrives later in Japan.
15 November 1937:
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Kuwahara Rikumi (Eng. 31) is appointed Maintenance Officer. LtCdr
(Eng.) Suzuyama is reassigned.
Lt (LtCdr posthumously) Tanaka Hajime (53) is appointed Air Group Commander. LtCdr Kozono is reassigned.
20 November 1937:
Cdr (Eng.) (later RAdm) Morita Teizo (Eng. 27) (former
Staff Officer of Naval Shipbuilding Command) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr
(Eng.) Yatsugi is reassigned.
1 December 1937:
CarDiv 1 is temporarily
dissolved. RYUJO is assigned to training duties in Japanese waters.
Captain (RAdm posthumously) Okada Jisaku
(42) (former CO of NOTORO) is appointed CO. Captain Abe is appointed CO of
KAGA.
Cdr (later RAdm) Okada Tametsugu
(45) (formerly of the Naval General Staff) is appointed XO. Cdr Furukawa is
reassigned.
LtCdr (Captain posthumously) Hori Yoshifusa (50)
(former Navigator, YUBARI) is appointed Navigator. LtCdr
Ishisaka is appointed Navigator of MIKUMA.
Damage Control Officer Lt (Eng.) Torii is promoted LtCdr (Eng.).
LtCdr/S (later Captain/S) Noda Tetsuo (1924) (former Surgeon, NAGARA) is
appointed Surgeon. LtCdr/S Nose is promoted Cdr/S and reassigned.
LtCdr/P Asano Shinji (1912) (former Paymaster, NACHI) is appointed Paymaster.
LtCdr/P Takahashi is reassigned.
LtCdr (later Captain) Yoshine
Hiroo (51) (former Communications Officer, CHOGEI) is
appointed Communications Officer. LtCdr Mitsui is appointed Communications
Officer of Tateyama Air Group.
LtCdr (RAdm posthumously) Yanagimura Yoshitane (49)
(formerly part of the Air Arsenal’s Flight Research Bureau) is appointed Air
Officer. LtCdr Kobayashi is appointed Air Officer on the Staff of CarDiv 2.
30 December 1937:
LtCdr (later Captain) Kogure
Hiroshi (52) (former Air Officer, KONGO) is appointed Air Group Commander. Lt
Tanaka is reassigned and is KIA when he is shot down over Guangdong, China on 4
February 1938.
January 1938:
Attached to RAdm Mitsunami Teizo (37) (former CO of 2nd Combined Air
Group)’s CarDiv 2 with Captain (later VAdm) Teraoka Kinpei
(40) (former Aide-de-Camp to Prince Nobuhito Takemasa)’s new carrier SORYU (F) and destroyers SHINONOME,
USUGUMO, SHIRAKUMO, and MURAKUMO.
February 1938:
RYUJO’s aircraft complement now
consists of 15 D1A2 “Susie” carrier-bombers and 9 Mitsubishi A5M4 “Claude”
fighters.
March 1938:
Departs Japan and arrives later in Canton area.
E 15 March-5 April 1938:
CarDiv 2’s aircraft operates in the South China area
in support of the offensive against Canton (now Guangzhou).
1 September 1938:
RAdm (later VAdm) Baron Samejima Tomoshige (37) (former ComCruDiv 13) is appointed ComCarDiv
2. RAdm Mitsunami is
attached to the Naval General Staff.
10 September 1938:
LtCdr (later Captain) Nagamatsu
Masatoshi (50) (former Communications Officer, Yokohama Air Group) is appointed
Communications Officer. In a change-of-post swap, LtCdr
Yoshine is appointed Communications Officer of
Yokohama Air Group.
15 September 1938:
LtCdr (later Captain) Fuchida Mitsuo
(52) (former Staff, 2nd Combined Air Group) is appointed Air Group
Commander. LtCdr Kogure is
reassigned.
October 1938:
CarDiv 2’s aircraft operates in the South
China area in support of the offensive against Canton.
1 October 1938:
Lt (Eng.) (later Cdr) Hayashizaki Morizo
(Eng. 34) (former Chief Engineer, MUTSUKI) is appointed Damage Control Officer.
LtCdr (Eng.) Torii is appointed Damage Control Officer of FUSO.
12 October 1938:
Canton is occupied by the Japanese troops.
E November 1938:
CarDiv 2 departs Canton waters and arrives later in
Japan.
15 November 1938:
XO Cdr Okada is promoted Captain. Surgeon LtCdr/S Noda and Paymaster LtCdr/P
Asano are promoted Cdr/S and Cdr/P, respectively. Damage Control Officer Lt
(Eng.) Hayashizaki is promoted LtCdr
(Eng.).
1 December 1938:
LtCdr (Captain posthumously) Otani Ryuzo (51) (former Gunnery Officer, NATORI) is appointed
Gunnery Officer. LtCdr Maeda is appointed an Equipping Officer of HIRYU.
Cdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Mishina Takeo (Eng. 28)
(former Chief Engineer, IZUMO) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr (Eng.) Morita
is appointed Chief Engineer of CHOKAI.
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Morikawa Toshito (Eng. 31) (former Maintenance Officer, Sasebo Air
Group) is appointed Maintenance Officer. In a change-of-post swap, LtCdr (Eng.)
Kuwahara is appointed Maintenance Officer of Sasebo
Air Group.
Air Group Commander LtCdr Fuchida is reassigned. A successor is not immediately
appointed.
5 December 1938:
Cdr (later Captain) Toyama Katsuro (44) (former XO of
SUZUYA) is appointed XO. Captain Okada is reassigned.
15 December 1938:
Captain (later RAdm) Kosaka
Kanae (43) (former CO of Air Group 13) is appointed
CO. Captain Okada is reassigned.
LtCdr (later Cdr) Kitamura Yosaku
(52) (former Operations Officer, JINGEI) is appointed Operations Officer. LtCdr
Kudo is reassigned.
LtCdr/S (later Cdr/S) Miura Toshiro (1929) (former
Surgeon, ASAHI) is appointed Surgeon. Cdr/S Noda is reassigned.
LtCdr (later Captain) Ideura
Tamotsu (52) (former Communications Officer, SUZUYA) is appointed
Communications Officer. LtCdr Nagamatsu
is reassigned.
LtCdr (later Captain) Uchida Sadagoro (50) (former
Air Officer, AKAGI) is appointed Air Officer. LtCdr Yanagimura is promoted Cdr and reassigned.
LtCdr (later Captain) Kawaguchi Susumu (52) is appointed Air Group Commander.
15 May 1939:
LtCdr (later Captain) Ikeda Sadae (51) (former
Navigator, ASAHI) is appointed Navigator. LtCdr Hori is reassigned.
LtCdr/P (later Cdr/P) Kawamura Naoe
(Pay. 12) (former Paymaster, TAKAO) is appointed Paymaster. Cdr/P Asano is
reassigned.
15 October 1939:
Gunnery Officer LtCdr Otani is reassigned. A successor is not immediately
appointed.
Navigator LtCdr Ikeda is appointed Navigator of CHOKAI. That same date, Air
Group Commander LtCdr Kawaguchi is also reassigned. Successors are not
immediately appointed.
20 October 1939:
RAdm (later VAdm) Totsuka Michitaro (38) (former CO of Yokosuka Air Group) is
appointed ComCarDiv 2. RAdm
Baron Samejima is later appointed Aide-de-Camp to
Emperor Hirohito.
Air Officer LtCdr Uchida is appointed Air Officer of Usa
Air Group. A successor is not immediately appointed.
1 November 1939:
Maintenance Officer LtCdr (Eng.) Morikawa is reassigned. A successor is not
immediately appointed.
15 November 1939:
Arrives at Kure. Reduced to Reserve ship status and taken off CarDiv 2’s active roster.
Captain (VAdm posthumously) Hasegawa Kiichi (42) (former CO of Air Group 21) is appointed CO,
with additional duty as CO of ITSUKUSHIMA. Captain Kosaka
is appointed XO and Chief Instructor of Yokosuka Air Group.
Cdr (later Captain) Maehara Tomiyoshi
(44) (former XO of Air Group 13) is appointed XO. Cdr Toyama is appointed XO of
MAYA.
Operations Officer LtCdr Kitamura is appointed Operations Officer of FUSO. A
successor is not immediately appointed.
LtCdr (Captain posthumously) Tsuyuguchi
Misao (50) (former CO of NIPPONKAI MARU) is appointed
Navigator.
Cdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Nakagawa Takeo (Eng. 28) (former Chief Engineer,
CHOGEI) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr (Eng.) Mishina
is appointed Chief Engineer of CHIKUMA.
Damage Control Officer LtCdr (Eng.) Hayashizaki and
Communications Officer LtCdr Ideura
are reassigned. Successors are not immediately appointed.
Lt/S (later LtCdr/S) Shimizu Tadao
(1935) is appointed Surgeon, with additional duty as Surgeon of KINU. LtCdr/S
Miura is reassigned.
Special Duty LtCdr/P Shimao
Heishichi is appointed Paymaster, with additional
duty as Paymaster of SUZUYA. LtCdr/P Kawamura is appointed Paymaster of ISE.
December 1939 – January 1940:
Undergoes various repairs and a reshaping of her flight deck which
narrows it back to the original width between the forward Type 89 12.7-cm (5-in.)/40-cal
gun mounts and the forward elevator.
5 December 1939:
LtCdr/P Shimao is relieved of his duties aboard SUZUYA and assumes full-time
duty aboard RYUJO.
10 December 1939:
Captain Hasegawa is relieved as CO of ITSUKUSHIMA and assumes full-time command
of RYUJO.
February – July 1940:
Assigned to training duties. RYUJO assists in landing and takeoff exercises for
officer and enlisted pilot trainees of the 12th Combined Air Group.
20 February 1940:
LtCdr (later Cdr) Iyanaga Tsuneto (55) (current Gunnery Officer, HOSHO) is appointed
Gunnery Officer as an additional duty.
LtCdr (Captain posthumously) Takahashi Eiichi (51) (currently Communications
Officer of Saeki Air Group) is appointed Communications Officer as an
additional duty.
1 April 1940:
LtCdr/P Shimao is appointed Paymaster of KINU as an additional duty.
24 April 1940:
Gunnery Officer LtCdr Iyanaga
is appointed Gunnery Officer of KUMA. A successor is not immediately appointed.
1 May 1940:
XO Cdr Maehara is reassigned. A successor is not
immediately appointed.
Chief Engineer Cdr (Eng.) Nakagawa is appointed Chief Engineer of MYOKO as an
additional duty.
Lt/S (later LtCdr/S) Nagahashi
Daisuke (1936) (former Surgeon, MOGAMI) is appointed Surgeon, with additional
duty as Surgeon of KINU. Lt/S Shimizu is appointed Surgeon of DesDiv 12.
Lt (j.g.)/P (later LtCdr/P)
Matsunaga Tokitaka (Pay.
26) (former Paymaster, FUSHIMI) is appointed Acting Paymaster. LtCdr/P Shimao
is appointed Paymaster of MOGAMI.
Communications Officer LtCdr Takahashi is relieved from his duties with Saeki
Air Group and is assigned additional duty as Communications Officer of CHIYODA.
1 June 1940:
Cdr (RAdm posthumously) Kondo Saburo
(46) (former CO of SETA) is appointed XO.
21 June 1940:
Captain (VAdm posthumously) Sugimoto Ushie (44) (former CO of Iwakuni
Air Group) is appointed CO. Captain Hasegawa is appointed CO of Air Group 12.
10 July 1940:
LtCdr (later Captain) Uchida Sadagoro (50) (currently
Air Officer of Usa Air Group) is appointed Air
Officer as an additional duty.
2 August 1940:
Air Officer LtCdr Uchida resumes full-time duty as Air Officer of Usa Air Group. A successor is not immediately appointed.
20 August 1940:
Captain Sugimoto is appointed CO of HOSHO as an additional duty.
25 September 1940:
Lt (later LtCdr) Sakuraba Kyuemon (60) (former Operations Officer, NOTORO) is
appointed Operations Officer.
15 October 1940:
LtCdr (later Captain) Gondaira
Masao (52) (former Secondary Gunnery Officer, ISE) is appointed Gunnery
Officer.
Cdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Moriyama Masakuni (Eng.
27) (former Chief Engineer, KAKO) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr (Eng.)
Nakagawa is reassigned.
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Okada Heiichiro (Eng.
33) (former Repair Staff Officer, ASAHI) is appointed Maintenance Officer.
Lt/P (later Cdr/P) Akita Mitsuaki (Pay. 18) (former
Paymaster, DesDiv 6) is appointed Paymaster. Lt (j.g.)/P Matsunaga is reassigned.
1 November 1940:
Lt (Eng.) (later LtCdr) Yoshida Hisashi (Eng. 38) (former Chief Engineer,
YUZUKI) is appointed Damage Control Officer.
LtCdr/S (later Cdr/S) Shimobayashi
Yoshimasa (1929) (former Surgeon, Air Group 14) is
appointed Surgeon. Lt/S Nagahashi is appointed
Surgeon of SAGA.
LtCdr (later Captain) Amagai
Takehisa (51) (former Air Officer, Hyakurihara Air Group) is appointed Air Officer. LtCdr (later Cdr) Kobayashi Tetsuo (55) is appointed Air
Group Commander.
11 November 1940:
Captain Sugimoto resumes full-time command of RYUJO.
15 November 1940:
Resumes active service and assigned to RAdm (later VAdm) Kakuta Kakuji
(39) (former Chief-of-Staff, Sasebo Naval District)’s CarDiv
3, First Fleet consisting of Captain (later RAdm)
Kikuchi Tomozo (45) (former CO of Takao Air Group)’s
light carrier HOSHO and Cdr (RAdm posthumously)
Murakami Chonosuke (44) (former XO of Maizuru Sailor Corps)’ DesDiv 34
(AKIKAZE, TACHIKAZE, HAKAZE). Remains primarily in the Inland Sea area.
Her aircraft complement consists of 18 B5N1 “Kate” attack aircraft and 16 A5M4
“Claude” fighters. Significantly, no dive-bombers are embarked mainly because
of the versatility of the B5N attack plane compared to the specialization of
the Aichi Type 99 D3A "Val" dive-bomber. Another reason is the aft
elevator small size unsuitable for the new generation aircraft bombers. Thus,
RYUJO operates B5Ns for bombing and torpedo missions alike in the actions to
follow.
LtCdr (later Cdr) Tomidokoro
Kotaro (52) (former Navigator, SETTSU) is appointed Navigator. LtCdr Tsuyuguchi is promoted Cdr
and reassigned.
Communications Officer LtCdr Takahashi is relieved of his duties aboard CHIYODA
and assumes full-time duty aboard RYUJO.
1 April 1941:
Cdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Masuda Kiyoshi (Eng. 29) (former Chief
Engineer, DesDiv 2) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr
(Eng.) Moriyama is appointed Chief Engineer of AKAGI.
10 April 1941:
Upon creation of the First Air Fleet, becomes flagship of RAdm
Kuwabara Torao (37) (former
CO of 11th Combined Air Group)’s newly-activated CarDiv
4.
15 April 1941:
Cdr (later Captain) Horie Tomoshige
(47) (former Staff Officer of China Area Fleet) is appointed XO. Cdr Kondo is
appointed XO of MAYA.
28 April 1941:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
25 May
1941:
Depart Yokosuka.
1 June 1941:
Arrives at Eniwetok, Marshalls. Departs two days later for Kwajalein, Marshalls.
4 June 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
9 June 1941:
Departs Kwajalein.
13 June 1941:
Arrives at Truk, Central Carolines.
17 June 1941:
Departs Truk for Saipan, Marianas.
19 June 1941:
Arrives at Saipan, depart next day.
20 June 1941:
Departs Saipan.
29 June 1941:
Arrives at Tokyo Bay.
7 July 1941:
Departs Yokosuka for Inland Sea.
E July-October 1941:
Operates in Inland Sea. (RYUJO is probably fitted during this period with an
external degaussing coil.)
11 August 1941:
Cdr (later Captain) Shimai Takemi
(47) (former XO of TAIGEI)’s DesDiv 3 (SHIOKAZE and
HOKAZE) are attached to CarDiv 4.
20 August 1941:
Lt (later Cdr) Watanabe Kaoru (59) (former Gunnery Officer, CHITOSE) is
appointed Operations Officer. Lt Sakuraba is
appointed Operations Officer of KUMANO.
LtCdr (later Cdr) Tani Akinori (57) (former Secondary Gunnery Officer, KAGA) is
appointed Gunnery Officer. LtCdr Gondaira
is reassigned.
LtCdr (later Cdr) Sumiyama
Katsumi (56) (former Navigator, SETTSU) is appointed Navigator. LtCdr Tomidokoro is reassigned.
25 August 1941:
Lt (Captain posthumously) Murata Shigeharu (58)
(former Division Leader, Yokosuka Air Group) is appointed Air Group Commander.
LtCdr Kobayashi is reassigned.
1 September 1941:
RAdm (later VAdm) Kakuta Kakuji (39) (former ComCarDiv 3) is appointed ComCarDiv
4. In a change-of-command swap, RAdm Kuwabara is appointed ComCarDiv
3.
Communications Officer LtCdr Takahashi is appointed Communications Officer of
KAGA. A successor is not immediately appointed.
LtCdr (later Captain) Kawaguchi Susumu (52) (former Air Officer, Mihoro Air Group) is appointed Air Officer.
5 September 1941:
LtCdr (Eng.) (later Cdr) Setoguchi Kumasuke (Eng. 36) (former Maintenance Officer, KINUGASA
MARU) is appointed Maintenance Officer. LtCdr (Eng.) Okada is appointed
Maintenance Officer of Yokosuka Air Group.
Lt (Eng.) (Cdr posthumously) Ashiya Takeo (Eng. 40) (former
Chief Engineer, AMAGIRI) is appointed Damage Control Officer. Lt (Eng.) Yoshida
is appointed Damage Control Officer of SHOKAKU.
Lt (later LtCdr) Shimomai
Tadashi (59) (former Communications Officer, NATORI) is appointed
Communications Officer.
15 September 1941:
Cdr (Captain posthumously) Kishi Hisaichi
(49) (former Communications Officer, Yokosuka Air Group) is appointed XO. Cdr Horie is appointed Executive Officer & Chief Instructor
of Suzuka Air Group.
Cdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Kuniyoshi Takeharu (Eng. 30) (former Chief Engineer, DesDiv 18) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr (Eng.) Masuda
is reassigned.
20 September 1941:
LtCdr/S (later Cdr/S) Kawashima Kiyoshi (1931)
(former Surgeon, TSURUGISAKI) is appointed Surgeon. LtCdr/S
Shimobayashi is reassigned.
Lt/P (later LtCdr/P) Sendo Morizo (Pay. Aux. 1) (former Paymaster, MIZUHO) is
appointed Paymaster. Lt/P Akita is appointed Paymaster of Canton Area Special
Base Force.
15 October 1941:
Air Group Commander Lt Murata is promoted LtCdr.
22 October 1941:
Departs Inland Sea for Takao, Formosa (now Kaohsiung, Taiwan) and Mako,
Pescadores.
E November 1941:
Departs Mako.
10 November 1941:
Lt (later Cdr) Aioi Takahide
(59) (former Wing Leader, Yokosuka Air Group) is appointed Air Group Commander.
LtCdr Murata is appointed a Wing Leader of AKAGI.
11 November 1941:
Arrives at Kure.
19 November 1941:
LtCdr Udo Eikichi (Spec. Duty 5) is appointed Operations Officer. Lt
Watanabe is reassigned.
29 November 1941:
Tactically assigned to Southern Philippines Supporting Unit Air Attack Force;
departs Saeki that same day for Koror, Palaus.
2 December 1941:
RYUJO receives the signal "Niitakayama nobore (Climb Mt. Niitaka)
1208" from the Combined Fleet. This signifies that X-Day hostilities will
commence on 8 December (JST).
5 December 1941:
Arrives at Koror, Palaus. RYUJO’s air group consists
of 12 (+4 spares) Mitsubishi Type 96 A5M4 “Claude” fighters and 14 (+4 spares)
Nakajima Type 97 B5N (12 N1 and 2 N2) “Kate” attack planes.
6 December 1941: Operation "M" - The Attack on the Southern
Philippines:
Departs Palau to provide cover for the planned landings at Davao and Legaspi in VAdm Takahashi Ibo (36)
(former CO of KIRISHIMA)’s Third Fleet, Philippine Seizure Force, Southern
Force. This includes destroyer SHIOKAZE acting as RYUJO’s plane-guard ship, CruDiv 5’s NACHI (F) and MYOKO, RAdm
(later VAdm) Tanaka Raizo
(41) (former CO of KONGO)’s DesRon 2's light cruiser
JINTSU, DesDiv 15 (HAYASHIO, NATSUSHIO, OYASHIO, and KUROSHIO)
and DesDiv 16 (YUKIKAZE, TOKITSUKAZE, HATSUKAZE and
AMATSUKAZE).
8 December 1941:
At 0400, launches a strike against Davao led by Air Group Commander Lt Aioi with 13 B5N “Kate” escorted by 9 A5M4 “Claude”. At
0710, the fighters strafe and destroy 2 Consolidated “PBY” but all bombs miss
seaplane tender USS PRESTON (AVD-7). 1 A5M4 ditches on the return flight due to
damage combat but the pilot is rescued. Later that same day another strike with
2 B5N1s escorted by 3 A5M4s bomb Davao’s tank farm. Another A5M4 is lost by
flak over the target.
12 December 1941:
Engaged in guard duty for the invasion of Legaspi. No aerial opposition is
encountered.
14 December 1941:
Returns to Koror, Palaus.
17 December 1941:
At 1400, Southern Philippines Attack Force of 17 transports departs Palau
carrying MajGen (later LtGen)
Sakaguchi Shizuo's 56th
Regimental Group, the Kure No. 2 SNLF and a naval airfield maintenance unit.
Air cover is provided by RYUJO and Captain (later RAdm) Furukawa Tamotsu (43)
(former CO of NOSHIROGAWA MARU)’s seaplane tender CHITOSE. Close escort is
provided by Tanaka's light cruiser JINTSU and DesDivs
15 and 16, while Takagi's CruDiv 5 provides distant
cover.
20–25 December 1941:
Cover the landings at Davao.
23 December 1941:
Departs for Jolo Island. 7 A5M4 and 2 B5N1 are
temporarily detached to Davao’s airfield to protect the base against Dutch
seaplanes raids.
24 December 1941:
Covers Jolo occupation. Departs later that same day
for Palau.
25 December 1941:
RYUJO’s detached aircraft are relieved by 3rd Kokutai
A6M2 “Zeke” and return to their carrier.
26 December 1941:
Returns to Palau upon completion of the operations. Reassigned tactically to
the Main Unit Southern Force (RAdm Kakuta’s CarDiv 4, 1st Air
Fleet).
28 December 1941:
Departs Palau.
1 January 1942:
Arrives at Mako.
3 January 1942:
Tactical assignment is changed to 3rd Air Force Malay Force (but remaining in CarDiv 4, 1st Air Fleet).
4 January 1942:
Departs Mako for Camranh Bay.
7 January 1942:
Arrives at Camranh Bay. Her aircraft complement consists now of 12 A5M4
“Claude” and 15 B5N1 “Kate”. Earlier operational casualties account for 3 A5M4s
and 2 B5N2s.
15 January 1942:
LtCdr (later Cdr) Akita Yoshio (57) (former Secondary
Gunnery Officer, YAMASHIRO) is appointed Gunnery Officer. LtCdr
Tani is appointed Tertiary Gunnery Officer of YAMATO.
16 January 1942:
Departs Camranh Bay for the "S" operations: Aerial campaign against
Singapore.
17-18 January 1942:
Only CAP patrols are launched with one Shotai
maintained.
19 January 1942:
Arrives back at Camranh Bay.
23 January 1942:
Departs Camranh Bay for Malay Occupation Operations (23-27 January).
23-27 January 1942:
Operates about 50 miles E of Redang Island. Two RAF Lockeed “Hudson” are shot down either by RYUJO’s CAP or 1st
Sentai’s Ki-27 “Nate”.
30 January 1942:
Arrives back at Camranh Bay upon completion of the Malay operations.
10 February 1942:
Departs Camranh Bay to participate in the "L" Operations: the
invasion of Palembang. RYUJO sails about 50 miles aft of the invasion convoy
and provides air cover. Cdr (RAdm posthumously) Iwagami Jiichi (50) (former CO of
YAKAZE)’s destroyer SHIKINAMI replaces LtCdr (later
Cdr) Tanegashima Youji (55)
(former CO of WAKATAKE)’s destroyer SHIOKAZE as screen guard.
13 February 1942:
Action:
RYUJO’s aircraft begins attack on shipping fleeing Singapore making two strikes
of 8 Kates each. 8,226-ton Dutch tanker MERULA is heavily damaged. (Taken in
tow, MERULA sinks later at 04-05S, 106-34E. Her survivors are rescued by
Australian corvette HMAS TOOWOMBA.) 1,646-ton British auxiliary patrol vessel
HMS GIANG BEE is bombed and damaged, later shelled by Japanese destroyers and
sunk in the Banka Strait. British auxiliary anti-submarine vessel SIANG WO is
also bombed and sunk that same day.
Finally, 5,424-ton British steamer SUBADAR, whilst in transit from Singapore to
Palembang with two Batteries of the 6th HAA and 10 3.7-inch AA guns and
ammunition, is bombed and later beached W of Palembang.
14 February 1942: The Battle for Palembang:
Dutch RAdm Karel W. F. M. Doorman mobilizes to attack the Japanese invasion
force off Bangka Island.
Action:
- 1105 Late afternoon, RYUJO’s is attacked by 11 RAF
Bristol “Blenheim” from 84 Sq. and 211 Sq escorted by 15 Hawker “Hurricane”.
Two bombers are shot down and six others damaged by A5M4s for no losses.
Meantime, attacks on shipping continue.
- 1500 RYUJO launches six attack
planes armed with one 250-kg and four 60-kg bombs each, and four attack planes
at 1600 that each attack an hour after launch. The 8,237-ton Dutch tanker
MANVANTARA appears to be a victim - she is bombed and sunk at 04-08S, 106-38E.
15 February 1942:
Action:
- 0848 RYUJO's fighters shoot down a flying boat spying on the force.
- 1000, a floatplane from Captain Watanabe Seishichi
(42) (former CO of JINGEI)’s heavy cruiser CHOKAI discovers Doorman's ABDA
naval force proceeding northward.
- 0945 RYUJO launches 4 planes armed with on
250-kg bomb and four 60-kg bombs on a search sweep. At 1020 they attack the
enemy.
- 1105, 7 B5N1s armed again with one 250-kg and four 60-kg bombs each
take off from RYUJO to attack ABDA naval force in Gaspar Strait east of Banka
Island. They arrive at the target at 1320 and soon score a near-miss against
heavy cruiser EXETER and damage her Supermarine “Walrus” floatplane. These
return to RYUJO which promptly refuels, re-arms, and relaunches five of them at
as a third strike at 1630; a second strike of six planes identically armed
already having left at 1430.
- 1529, 6 B5N1s from that second strike from
RYUJO again attack EXETER without scoring any hits.
Following this, land-based Genzan Kokutai
Mitsubishi G3M2 “Nell” damage destroyers USS BARKER (DD-213) and BULMER
(DD-222.) About 1630, the third wave from the carrier with 7 B5N1s attacks but
is again unsuccessful. RYUJO promptly recovers her second wave and relaunches
it at 1845; this last attack from the carrier of six B5N1s bombs the ABDA force
at 1900, concentrating on DE RUYTER which they believed to be a battleship.
However, once again they score no hits.
Final attacks by land based Kanoya Kokutai Mitsubishi GAM1 “Betty” do no further harm to the
now retiring ABDA Force. In these strikes, two of RYUJO's aircraft are slightly
damaged but made operational again the following day. The carrier has aggressively
launched four strikes in one day, but despite this effort, has hit nothing.
That same date, Operations Officer LtCdr Udo is reassigned. A successor is not
immediately appointed.
17 February 1942:
Action:
Following sighting by a MOGAMI floatplane 15 G3M2s from Genzai
Kokutai and 10 B5N1s armed with 1 250 kg and four 60
kg bombs each from RYUJO seek out and attack Dutch Destroyer VAN NES escorting
troop transport SLOET VAN DE BEELE carrying troops from Oosthaven
to Java. The transport is dispatched by the land-based bombers by a direct hit
within five minutes. Arriving around 1630 RYUJO's planes go after the
destroyer. After evading several bombs, VAN NES is hit by three bombs and at
about 1700 breaks in half abaft the second stack and sinks rapidly. Of her crew
of 143, 68 are lost while 52 sailors are later rescued by a Dutch Dornier Do 24
and taken to Tandjong Priok,
Java. VAN NES was the first allied warship sunk by Japanese carrier planes
since Pearl Harbor.
18 February 1942:
Departs the area to Indochina.
19 February 1942:
Arrives at St. Jacques, near Saigon (now Vung Tau,
near Ho Chi Minh City).
20 February 1942:
RYUJO with CHOKAI arrives at Saigon.
LtCdr (Cdr posthumously) Inokuma
Seijiro (Spec. Duty 4) (former Operations Officer,
KASHIMA) is appointed Operations Officer.
27 February 1942:
Assigned to the Netherlands Indies Force charged with the occupation of
Batavia. Departs St. Jacques to participate in the "J" Operations
activated that same day, escorted by Cdr Iwagami’s destroyer
SHIKINAMI. RYUJO is assigned to cover the invasion convoy.
28 February 1942:
0800 In position 07-40'N, 108-10'E, headed south at 20 knots. The landings at
Bantam Bay begin. During them, in the early evening RYUJO and CruDiv 7 hold position 20 miles to the north of the Bay to
cover it. When word arrives of the attack by cruisers HMAS PERTH and USS HOUSTON
on the transports at Bantam Bay late that night, RYUJO is unable to assist as
she has no night aircraft but prepares to pursue shipping in the morning.
1 March 1942:
Assists in intercepting fleeing enemy warships in the aftermath of the Battle
of the Java Sea and the invasion of Java commencing that morning. Learning of CruDiv 5 and Main Force's engagement with the `HMS EXETER'
group RYUJO turns and races eastward. At 1200, launches a strike of six B5N1s
Type-97s armed with one 250kg and four 60kg bombs each that arrive at the
battle site three hours later. They assist in the sinking of USS POPE. At 1505
they sight the American destroyer already crippled by bombing from a mixture of
seaplanes and land-based air just prior; and close in to make a level bombing
attack. No direct hits are scored, but several more near-misses hasten the
abandonment and scuttling of the vessel. POPE founders shortly before 1540,
finished off by gunfire from heavy cruisers ASHIGARA and MYOKO. (2]
In the meantime, RYUJO after this at 1405 had launched a second strike to
support the landings, six attack planes armed same way as the POPE strike,
bombing the port of Semarang at 1640. But there were few ships there, and just
one 10,000-ton merchantman (identity uncertain) is reported left burning. The
strike returns at 1845, ending RYUJO's participation in the Java Sea actions.
5 March 1942:
Arrives at Singapore upon conclusion of the "J" Operations, and
immediately assumes assignment with the Main Unit Malay Force. That same phase
participates in "T" Operations, doing so till 14 March.
14 March 1942:
"D": The invasion of Andamans, “T”: The mopping up phase in Sumatra
and "U": The invasion of Burma, Operations are activated.
That same date, Air Group Commander Lt Aioi is
appointed Air Officer of Air Group 3 as an additional duty.
16 March 1942:
Covers the convoys for “T”, “D” and the three convoys to “U”. No offensive
operations are launched.
20 March 1942:
Covers operations against Burma.
26 March 1942:
Arrives at Mergui, Burma upon conclusion of the "D" and "U"
Operations.
1 April 1942: Operation "C" - The Raids in the Indian Ocean:
At 1100, VAdm Ozawa Jisaburo’s
(37) (former CO of HARUNA) Second Expeditionary Fleet, Malay Force, consisting
of RYUJO, CruDiv 4’s CHOKAI (F), CruDiv
7 (KUMANO, SUZUYA, MOGAMI and MIKUMA), light cruiser YURA, DesDiv
11 (FUBUKI, SHIRAYUKI, HATSUYUKI and MURAKUMO), auxiliary oilers NICHIEI, TOHO
and TEIYO MARUs, departs Mergui.
3 April 1942:
In the 10 Degree Channel between the Andamans and Nicobar Islands DesDiv 11's four destroyers are replaced as escorts by Captain
(RAdm posthumously) Yamada Yuji (46) (former ComDesDiv
23)’s DesDiv 20 (AMAGIRI, ASAGIRI, SHIRAKUMO, and
YUGIRI).
4 April 1942:
Ozawa’s Mobile Force enters Bengal Gulf waters steaming northwest directly for
the Indian coast.
5 April 1942:
RYUJO - operating directly in Ozawa's unit - after launching at 0855 a three-plane
search with attack planes that returned at 1110 - following a report of a
cruiser floatplane of a convoy of about 10 ships launched eight attack planes
in four pairs for search-shipping strike starting at 1430 flying out on
search-and-bomb vectors to the northwest. Since a pair had to abort soon after
takeoff, a replacement pair was launched at 1510.
It appears likely that the targets attacked at 1640 and 1732 was the 7,726-ton
British freighter DARDANUS. ‘Abandon Ship’ is ordered but the freighter is
re-boarded and later taken in tow by 5,281-ton GANDARA. (Both ships are sunk
the following day by shelling and torpedo from another group) The 5,082-ton
British steamer HARPASA is also bombed and sunk with 6 crewmen KIA this day,
apparently a victim of RYUJO.
That evening, at 2030 5 April, the Malay Force separates into three groups to
attack merchant shipping in the Bay of Bengal. CruDiv
7/1's KUMANO and SUZUYA, under RAdm (later VAdm) Kurita Takeo (38) (former ComDesRon
4), form the Northern Group with LtCdr (later Captain) Sato Shigekichi
(51) (former Torpedo Officer, KUMANO)’s destroyer SHIRAKUMO. RYUJO, CHOKAI, SubRon 5's light cruiser YURA, and DesDiv
20's YUGIRI and ASAGIRI form the Center Group under VAdm
Ozawa. MOGAMI, MIKUMA and Cdr (Captain posthumously) Ashida
Buichi (50) (former CO of NAGATSUKI)’s destroyer
AMAGIRI form the Southern Group under MIKUMA's Captain Sakiyama
Shakao.
(The same day, the First Air Fleet's carriers raid Colombo, Ceylon as planned. KdB's aircraft discover and sink cruisers HMS DORSETSHIRE
and CORNWALL.
6 April 1942:
S of Vizagapatam, northern Indian coast, Ozawa's center unit attacks shipping.
First at 0900 RYUJO launched four bomb-armed Kates (two with one 250-kg and
four 60-kg bombs and two with four 60-kg bombs each) to attack two Indian
ports, Vizagapatam and Cocanada. They do little
damage to the cities but cause such panic the civilians flee inshore and stay
for days. Then attention turns to fleeing traffic. Against shipping RYUJO at
1220 launched five attack planes; two armed with torpedoes and three with one
250 and four 60 kg bombs each attacked Vizagapatam around 1310. Two more took
off at 1330 but attacked nothing. RYUJO's emphasis than shifted to land
targets. Another five attack planes armed with one 250kg and four 60 kg bombs
each took off at 1433. At 1630 went five attack planes with two armed with an
800kg bomb, two with one 250 kg and the fifth with just four 60 kg bombs took
off at 1510. RYUJO's sixth and last strike ranged that day took off at 1955,
and was identical to the fourth wave with five attack planes armed with one
250kg and four 60 kg bombs each. They arrived over their target at dusk, and
only one plane made an attack. When the strike returned at 2130 the carrier's
very active day was over.
RYUJO's and the Ozawa Center group's victims are not definitely sorted out- but
allegedly her planes hit and set the motor ship VAN DER CAPELLAN (2,073 tons)
afire off Coconada, though she did not founder till
two days later. Also sunk in the same area was the British steamship SINKIANG
(2,646 tons). In harbor at Vizagapatam raid her planes severely damaged the
British motor ship ANGLO CANADIAN (5,268 tons). This may have been the 8,000-ton
ship claimed hit by one of the RYUJO second wave torpedo planes, though it
appears the torpedo missed. CHOKAI opened gunfire at 0933 against targets in
sequence; assisted by YURA and YUGIRI and even RYUJO's guns. (Survivors of
TAKSANG, GANGES, and BIENVILLE all mention the carrier using her guns, so this
seems to be true. It is known she continued to operate directly in the middle
of the column and that the fleet moved into high-angle gun range and used them,
so likely RYUJO did as well. Her planes also attacked these same three ships.)
Together they apparently accounted for the American SELMA CITY (5,686 tons) and
BIENVILLE (5,491 tons); the British GANGES (6,246 tons) and TAKSANG (3,471
tons), and the Dutch BAJOEWANGI (1,279 tons) and motor ship BATAVIA (1,279
tons.) In all eight ships had been claimed by the Ozawa center unit's aircraft,
gunfire, and torpedoes this 6 April. (Modern historians are still sorting out
the victims at time of writing.)
Dusk: the Ozawa Center group sets course back southeast, heading for scheduled
rendezvous point with the other two sections and then to home.
7 April 1942:
The three dispersed segments of the Ozawa `Malay Force' reunite, and – with the
exception of YURA (which heads for Penang) – they proceed to Singapore. (First
Air Fleet's carriers do not immediately follow. Nagumo's KdB
conducts the next planned raid on Trincomalee on 9 April. Their aircraft in the
process also discover and sink carrier HMS HERMES and destroyer HMAS VAMPIRE.)
11 April 1942:
1030 arrives at Singapore.
13 April 1942:
Departs Singapore for Indochina with CruDiv 7.
16 April 1942:
Arrives at Camranh Bay.
17 April 1942:
Departs Camranh Bay.
18 April 1942:
RYUJO’s B5Ns are detached to Takao airbase for torpedo training.
20 April 1942:
LtCdr (Eng.) (Cdr (Eng.) posthumously) Nakagawa Takanori
(Eng. 39) (former Maintenance Officer, Saeki Air Group) is appointed
Maintenance Officer. LtCdr (Eng.) Setoguchi is reassigned.
Lt (later LtCdr) Gamo
Ichiro (61) (former Communications Officer, TENRYU) is appointed Communications
Officer. Lt Shimomai is reassigned.
LtCdr (later Cdr) Yoshitomi Shigema
(55) (former Staff Air Officer, CarDiv 4) is
appointed Air Officer. LtCdr Kawaguchi is appointed Air Officer of HIRYU.
23
April 1942:
Arrives at Kure. RYUJO’s remaining aircraft are detached to the Saeki Kokutai for training purposes and to replace her obsolete
A5M4s by Mitsubishi Type 0 A6M2 “Zeke” fighters.
25 April 1942:
Captain (later RAdm) Kato Tadao
(45) (former Chief of the Air Technology Arsenal’s Flight Research Bureau) is
appointed CO. Captain Sugimoto is reassigned.
28 April 1942:
Enters Kure Naval Base’s drydock for maintenance and refit.[1]
1 May 1942:
Saeki. 16 A6M2s are attached to RYUJO’s air group.
3 May 1942:
The 27,500-ton carrier JUNYO, converted from the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK)
liner KASHIWARA MARU is commissioned and attached to CarDiv
4, joining RYUJO. Together, they form the nucleus of RAdm
Kakuta’s 2nd Carrier Strike Force assigned to the
upcoming “AL” Operation.
5 May 1942:
Lt (Eng.) (later LtCdr) Hirakawa
Takeo (Eng. 41) (former Damage Control Officer, CHOGEI) is appointed Damage
Control Officer. Lt (Eng.) Ashiya is reassigned.
6 May 1942:
Undocked.
18 May 1942:
Depart for Ominato via Saeki and Tokuyama.
19 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
20 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives later in the day at Tokuyama. That same day, RYUJO is
reassigned to the Northern Force, 2nd Mobile Force.
21 May 1942:
Refuels at Tokuyama.
22 May 1942:
Departs Tokuyama.
25 May 1942: Arrives at Mutsu Wan (Bay), Ominato.
RYUJO aircraft complement consists of 12 Mitsubishi Type 0 A6M2 “Zeke” (+2
spares) and 18 Nakajima Type 97 B5N (probably 9 N1 and 9 N2, +2 spares).
26 May 1942: Operation "AL" - The Seizure of Attu and Kiska:
VAdm Hosogaya Boshiro (36) (former CO of MUTSU)’s Northern Force’s Main
Body's (CruDiv 5's NACHI (F) and destroyers INAZUMA
and IKAZUCHI) accompanying RAdm Kakuta's
Second Carrier Striking Force (CarDiv 4's RYUJO and
JUNYO, CruDiv 4's TAKAO and MAYA, DesDiv
3’s SHIOKAZE, DesDiv 7 (AKEBONO, USHIO, and SAZANAMI),
auxiliary transport AKASHISAN MARU, auxiliary storeship TOKO MARU No. 2 GO,
oiler FUJISAN MARU, collier/oiler NISSAN MARU, and auxiliary cruiser AWATA MARU)
departs Mutsu Wan for the Aleutians.
29 May 1942:
RAdm (later VAdm) Omori Sentaro (41) (former CO of ISE)’s Adak-Attu Invasion Force
(DesRon 1's light cruiser ABUKUMA, DesDiv 21 (HATSUHARU, HATSUSHIMO, WAKABA and NENOHI),
auxiliary transport KINUGASA MARU, fleet supply ship MUROTO, and auxiliary
minelayer MAGANE MARU) departs Mutsu Wan (Bay).
RAdm Omori’s Adak-Attu Invasion Force accompanies Captain (later RAdmiral) Ono Takeji's (44) Kiska
Invasion Force (CruDiv 21 (TAMA and KISO), DesDiv 6’s HIBIKI and AKATSUKI, destroyer HOKAZE, auxiliary
cruiser ASAKA MARU, and auxiliary transports HAKUSAN and KUMAGAWA MARUs).
1 June 1942:
The Invasion Force arrives at Paramushiro, Kuriles.
Departs the same day to the Aleutians.
3 June 1942:
The Second Carrier Striking Force detaches and launches air attacks against
American installations in the Aleutians at Dutch Harbor and Unalaska Island.
Action:
-0325, the first strike is launched with 46 aircraft to which RYUJO
contributes 15 B5Ns escorted by 3 A6M2s. Finding clear weather over Dutch
Harbor with a cloud ceiling over 3,000 m, they attack the radio station, tank
farm, barracks at Fort Mears and moored Consolidated PBYs. Engaged briefly by
Curtiss P-40s on their return flight, they spot five destroyers in Makushin Bay, SW of Dutch Harbor. One B5N is lost.
- 1045, Kakuta decides to launch a second strike
aiming the destroyers previously spotted at Makushin
Bay, with 47 aircraft to which RYUJO contributes 6 B5Ns escorted by 6 A6M2s.
This time, foul weather and freezing carburetors force all aircraft to abort
mission and return safely to their carrier.
4 June 1942:
Action:
- 1640 Third strike is launched, this time against Dutch Harbor, with 31
aircraft to which RYUJO contributes 9 B5Ns escorted by 6 A6M2s. By 1810, they
bomb oil tanks, AA positions, part of a hospital and the naval air station and
pier. All aircraft but 1 A6M2 return safely to the carrier.
- 2026, plane
recovery completed, after having earlier received orders to join forces with
Nagumo’s forces, the 2nd Carrier Strike Force dutifully heads south at high
speed. [3]
5 June 1942:
Combined Fleet’s previous order is cancelled. Kakuta’s
force remains in northern waters.
6 June 1942:
The Second Carrier Striking Force rejoins the Northern Force to cover the
invasion of Attu and Kiska Islands.
BatDiv 3/1's HIEI and KONGO, CarDiv
3's ZUIHO, and Captain (later RAdm) Shinoda Tarohachi (44) (former CO
of SHIRIYA)’s seaplane carrier KAMIKAWA MARU detach from VAdm
(later Admiral) Kondo Nobutake (35) (former CO of
KONGO)’s Midway Invasion Force with RAdm (later VAdm) Abe Hiroaki (39) (former CO of FUSO)’s CruDiv 8 (TONE and CHIKUMA) and join the Second Carrier
Striking Force SW of the Aleutians.
7 June 1942:
VAdm Hosogaya's Fifth Fleet
captures Attu and Kiska.
22 June 1942:
Lt (Cdr posthumously) Notomi Kenjiro
(62) (former Air Group Commander, SHOHO) is appointed Air Group Commander. Lt Aioi assumes full-time duty as Air Officer of Air Group 3.
23 June 1942:
Lt (later LtCdr) Fujiwara Hiromichi
(66) (former Communications Officer, HOSHO) is appointed Communications
Officer. Lt Gamo is reassigned.
24 June 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
28 June 1942:
Transferred to 1st Air Attack Force, 2nd Mobile Force Northern Force. Departs
Ominato for the Aleutians in RAdm Kakuta's
Second Mobile Force (CarDiv 4 reinforced by CruDiv 5 (HAGURO, MYOKO and NACHI), CruDiv
21 (KISO and TAMA), DesDiv 4 (ARASHI, MAIKAZE,
HAGIKAZE, and NOWAKI), DesDiv 7's USHIO and SAZANAMI,
DesDiv 9 (ASAGUMO, MINEGUMO, and NATSUGUMO), DesDiv 10 (AKIGUMO, KAZAGUMO, MAKIGUMO, and YUGUMO) and DesDiv 17’s URAKAZE.
The mission is to cover the second reinforcement convoy to Kiska, then patrols
SW of Kiska in anticipation of an American counter-attack.
7 July 1942:
Departs the area.
10 July 1942:
Reassigned to the Mobile Force (but administratively remaining in CarDiv 4, 1st Air Fleet).
13 July 1942:
Arrives at Kure for maintenance, repairs, and supplies.
14 July 1942:
Reassigned to RAdm (later VAdm)
Kakuta Kakuji (39) (former ComCarDiv 4)’s CarDiv 2, Third
Fleet with Captain (VAdm posthumously) Ishii Shizue (39) (former Chief Equipping Officer, KASUGA MARU)’s
carrier JUNYO.
15 July 1942:
Cdr (Eng.) (later Captain) Kabayama Kazuo (Eng. 31) (former Chief Engineer,
ASAHI) is appointed Chief Engineer. Cdr (Eng.) Kuniyoshi
is reassigned.
5 August 1942:
Lt/P Tachibana Tadateru (Pay. Aux. 1) (former
Paymaster, Suzuka Air Group) is appointed Paymaster.
In a change-of-post swap, Lt/P Sendo is appointed
Paymaster of Suzuka Air Group.
7 August 1942: American Operation “Watchtower”
– The Invasion of Guadalcanal, British Solomons: RAdm (later Admiral) Richmond
K. Turner's (USNA ’08) Amphibious Task Force 62, covered by VAdm
(later Admiral) Frank J. Fletcher’s (USNA ’06) Task Force 61 and RAdm (later
Admiral) John S. McCain's (USNA ’06) Task Force 63’s land-based aircraft, lands
MajGen (later Gen/MOH/Commandant) Alexander A.
Vandergrift’s 1st Marine Division on Florida, Tulagi,
Gavutu, Tanambogo and
Guadalcanal opening the campaign to retake the island.
8 August
1942:
Tactical assignment transferred to Main Unit Mobile Force in VAdm (Admiral posthumously) Nagumo Chuichi
(36) (former CinC, First Air
Fleet)’s
CarDiv 1, 3rd Fleet also consisting of carriers
SHOKAKU (F) and ZUIKAKU.
10 August 1942:
LtCdr/S
(later Cdr/S) Usuda Masao (1931) (former Surgeon, DesDiv 3) is appointed Surgeon. LtCdr/S Kawashima is
reassigned.
15 August 1942:
Depart Kure for Hashirajima.
16 August 1942:
With ZUIKAKU and SHOKAKU, BatDiv 11
(HIEI and KIRISHIMA), CruDiv 8
(TONE and CHIKUMA), DesRon
10's light cruiser NAGARA, and DesDiv
10 (KAZAGUMO, YUGUMO, MAKIGUMO and AKIGUMO),
DesDiv 16
(HATSUKAZE, NOWAKI, MAIKAZE,
AMATSUKAZE
and TOKITSUKAZE), departs Hashirajima
towards Truk to participate in the "GA" Operations. RYUJO’s aircraft
complement consists of 9 B5N2 “Kate” and 24 A6M2 “Zeke”.
21 August 1942:
Admiral Yamamoto cancels the fleet's scheduled stop at Truk and instructs that
Nagumo refuel at sea from oilers to hasten on directly toward Guadalcanal.
Auxiliary oilers NIPPON and KYOKUTO MARU escorted by destroyers SHIKINAMI and
URANAMI join the fleet N of the Solomons.
23 August 1942:
Reassigned as Mobile Force Detached Unit (CarDiv 1,
3rd Fleet), to serve as advance recon under command of RAdm
(later VAdm) Hara Chuichi
(39) (former ComCruDiv 5)
consisting of
CruDiv 8’s TONE (F) and DesRon
10’s AMATSUKAZE and TOKITSUKAZE. Refuels at sea from the oilers enroute towards
Guadalcanal.
24 August 1942: The Battle of the Eastern Solomons:
Action:
- 0200 detaches from CarDiv 5 and proceeds southeast
to launch strikes against Guadalcanal, convoyed by TONE, AMATSUKAZE, and
TOKITSUKAZE.
- 0805, a Consolidated PBY spots the advance group.
- 1030, another PBY spots again RYUJO and her escort.
- 1120 the first of two strikes are launched against Henderson Field. 6 B5N2s
escorted by 5 A6M2s take off the carrier.
- 1248 Second launch with 9 A6M2s
loaded with 60-kg bombs.
- 1215 Attack force arrived over Guadalcanal and are engaged by 10 Grumman F4-F “Wildcats” from VMF-223 and 212 and later by 2 Bell P-400 “Airacobras”. In the ensuing air battle 2 F4-F are shot down
for the loss of 4 B5N2s and 3 A6M2s. Those two strikes cause only little damage
to Henderson Field.
Sunk:
- 1357 RYUJO is attacked by enemy aircraft (30 SBD and 8 TBF launched
at 1315 from USS SARATOGA, CV-3). The CAP manage to
shoot down one TBF but the carrier receives four bombs hits, many near-misses,
and one torpedo hit aft of amidships. The torpedo floods the starboard engine room, and the ship
begins to list and lose speed. A second torpedo hit or large bomb appears to have damaged the port bow. [4]
- 1408, RYUJO turned north and attempted to
retire as ordered by Admiral Yamamoto. But though the fire is extinguished, the
list increased to 21 degrees and flooding disabled the boilers and machinery.
- 1420 RYUJO stops. At 1515 ‘Abandon Ship’ is ordered. AMATSUKAZE draws close
along the low starboard side to attempt to transfer the crew bodily to her by
planks linking the ships.
- 1610-1625 During abandonment, the carrier and screen is bombed
by B-17's that are engaged by her fighters, and she receives no
further damage.
- 1730 B-17s bomb again but again no
additional damage. AMATSUKAZE completes rescue, and shortly after, about:
- 1755 RYUJO capsized to starboard and after floating long enough to reveal holes
in her bottom, sinks stern first at 06-10S, 160-50E, bearing 10 degrees 106
miles from Tulagi. Four aircraft go down with the ship. Seven officers – including
XO Cdr (Captain posthumously) Kishi and Maintenance
Officer LtCdr (Eng.) (Cdr (Eng.) posthumously) Nakagawa – and 113 petty
officers and men are lost; Captain Kato and the survivors are rescued by
destroyers AMATSUKAZE and TOKITSUKAZE and heavy cruiser TONE. The destroyers
soon transfer these survivors to the TOEI MARU and TOHO MARU.
Captain Kato is later appointed Chief of the Air Technology’s Flight Research
Bureau for a second time.
Operations Officer LtCdr Inokuma
is later appointed Operations Officer of SUZUYA.
Navigator LtCdr Sumiyama is
later appointed Navigator of JUNYO. Still later, he is appointed Navigator of
SHOKAKU, and survives her sinking as well.
Chief Engineer Cdr (Eng.) Kabayama is later appointed Chief Engineer of
ASHIGARA.
Damage Control Officer Lt (Eng.) Hirakawa is later
appointed to the Staff of 7th Combined Special Naval Landing Force.
Surgeon LtCdr/S Usuda is
later appointed Surgeon of ATAGO.
Communications Officer Lt Fujiwara is later appointed Communications Officer of
Kanoya Air Group.
Air Officer LtCdr Yoshitomi is later appointed Air Officer of Tsuiki Air Group.
Air Group Commander Lt Notomi is later appointed Air
Group Commander of ZUIKAKU.
10 November 1942:
Removed from the Navy List.
Note 1:
Some sources state that RYUJO's light AA armament was altered at the outbreak
of the war but given her schedule, May 1942 seems more likely. See revised RYUJO
Data page. - (Casse)
Note 2:
The few sources that mention RYUJO's launch against USS POPE in any detail
generally give the time as 1300. However, close `eye-balling' of the carrier's kodchosho (JACAR
record ref C08051585800) very,
very strongly appears to be written as 1200 intended; i.e., at noon. Since CruDiv 5 sent warning to all commands of the EXETER group
at 1103 that was promptly received and re-iterated by Main Force, this response
interval is plausible. - (Tully)
Note 3:
One of RYUJO's Zeros that crashed during the Dutch Harbor attack was recovered
by the Americans and studied, the first functional capture then to date.
Note 4:
Japanese records are oddly contradictory regarding RYUJO's destruction. Her
captain's report claimed no bomb hits, and only one torpedo hit on
"her port side, well aft", but other Japanese sources confirm massive
fire and smoke (even visible to Tanaka's transport column on the horizon), and
credit four to ten bomb and one torpedo hit. VAdm
Ugaki Matome (40) expressly states that the torpedo
hit was in the starboard engine room. Photograph verticals of RYUJO during the
B-17 bombing appears to show the crippled carrier down at the bow with a
starboard list. It is notable in this connection that the photos show little
signs of obvious bomb damage to the flight deck. A Ryujo Damage Chart prompts
speculation this may be because two of the four reliably attested hits were on
the edge of the starboard flight deck. However, the same famous vertical photographs appears to show a buckled port bow - possibly a torpedo hit claimed in this area by Saratoga's planes or a bomb hit. Or simply an optical illusion caused by water encroaching. (Tully)
Acknowledgements: Special hearty
thanks go to Gilbert Casse of France in revising and
enhancing this TROM.
Special thanks are also due to Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp
for entries derived from their TROMS.
- Anthony Tully
tullyfleet@gmail.com