Ikazuchi

I.J.N. Ikazuchi

(Optatus OPT-S-18aS)

Notes: Took part in operations during the Sino-Japanese War from mid-1937. On 8 Dec 1941 she participated in the Japanese attack on Hong Kong, sinking the British gunboats Robin and Cicada with the assistance of cruiser Isuzu. During the first months of 1942 she took part in the East Indies campaign. In Jun 1942 she participated in the invasion of the Aleutian islands. Later she was sent south for operations in the Solomons. Took part in a daylight raid on 25 Oct that sank or damaged several American small craft off Guadalcanal and then took part in the first night action of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 Nov 1942, where she engaged several ships including American cruiser Atlanta and received some damage with 41 casualties. She returned to the north Pacific, taking part in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands on 26 Mar 1943. She was torpedoed and sunk on 14 Apr 1944 by American submarine Harder while on convoy duty near Woleai.