Japanese submarine I-168: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:13, 20 February 2007

Revision as of 02:47, 2 May 2007

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The sub was completed at the Kure Dock Yard on July 31, 1934. She was originally designated I-68. On November 23, 1941, I-68 and the rest of Submarine Squadron 3 were stationed near [[Hawai'i]] to perform reconnaissance duties in preparation for the impending [[attack on Pearl Harbor]]. Still on station near Hawai'i on December 13, I-68 was subjected to 21 separate depth charge attacks. The last attack damaged her batteries and flooded the aft torpedo tubes. After undergoing repairs at [[Kwajalein]], I-68 conducted several uneventful patrols of the Pacific before being redesignated I-168 on May 20, 1942 as part of a general sub re-numbering program undertaken by the IJN.

Following her attack on ''Yorktown'' and ''Hammann'', I-168 was lightly damaged by depth charges from the destroyers [[USS Gwinn (DD-433)|Gwin]], [[USS Hughes (DD-410)|Hughes]], and [[USS Monaghan (DD-354)|Monaghan]]. After conducting emergency repairs, Tanabe and his crew limped back to [[Japan]] using only two engines, a journey of twelve days. Following full repairs at [[Sasebo]], I-168 was placed under command of LtCdr. Katsuji Watanabe and was reassigned to conduct cargo transportation missions to the beleagured [[Solomon Islands]] and [[Kiska]].

On [[July 27]], [[1943]], I-168 engaged the American submarine [[USS Scamp (SS-277)|Scamp]] in the [[Steffen Strait]] near [[New Hanover Island]]. After crash-divng his boat under an incoming torpedo, LtCdr [[Walter Ebert]] returned fire, sinking I-168 with all hands.