Japanese submarine I-169 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Empire of Japan |
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| Name | I-69 |
| Builder | Mitsubishi Kobe Yard, Kobe, Japan |
| Laid down | 22 December 1931 |
| Launched | 15 February 1934 |
| Completed | 28 September 1935 |
| Commissioned | 28 September 1935 |
| Decommissioned | 15 December 1938 |
| Recommissioned | 1 September 1939 |
| Renamed | I-169, 20 May 1942 |
| Fate | Sank 4 April 1944 |
| Stricken | 10 June 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | KD6 Type, Kadai type submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length | 322 ft 10 in (98.4 m) |
| Beam | 26 ft 11 in (8.2 m) |
| Draught | 15 ft 0 in (4.6 m) |
| Propulsion | Twin shaft Kampon 9,000 bhp (6,711 kW)/two stroke diesels |
| Speed |
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| Range | 14,000 nmi (26,000 km; 16,000 mi) |
| Test depth | 230 ft (70 m) |
| Complement | 60–84 officers and enlisted |
| Armament | |
The I-69, later known as I-169, was a special type of Imperial Japanese Navy submarine. It was a KD6-class cruiser submarine, meaning it was designed for long patrols and had powerful weapons. This submarine was launched in 1935.
The I-69 played a role in World War II. It went on six war patrols and was involved in important events. These included the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway, the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Aleutian Islands campaign. It also helped defend the Gilbert Islands. Sadly, the submarine sank in an accident in April 1944.
The I-69 was built by Mitsubishi in Kobe, Japan. Its construction started on December 22, 1931. The submarine was launched into the water on February 15, 1934. It was officially finished and joined the Imperial Japanese Navy on September 28, 1935.
Service History
Before World War II
After joining the navy, the I-69 was based in the Kure Naval District. It became part of Submarine Division 12 in October 1935. This division was part of the 2nd Fleet, which was a larger group of ships.
In 1936, the I-69 went on training trips with other submarines. They sailed off the coast of China. The submarine was taken out of service for a while in December 1938. But it was brought back into service around September 1939.
In May 1941, the I-69 had a small accident. It bumped into another submarine, the I-70, in Yokosuka, Japan. This caused some damage to its front part.
As Japan prepared for war, the I-69 was assigned to a special mission. This mission was part of the plan for the attack on Pearl Harbor. In November 1941, the I-69 sailed to Kwajalein Atoll with other submarines.
World War II Missions
First Patrol: Pearl Harbor Attack
On November 23, 1941, the I-69 began its first war patrol. It was sent to the waters near Hawaii. On December 2, 1941, the submarine received a secret message. It told them that war with the Allies would begin soon.
On December 7, 1941, the I-69 and another submarine, I-68, waited near Pearl Harbor. Their job was to rescue the crews of small midget submarines. These small submarines were trying to get into the harbor during the attack.
That evening, the I-69's captain saw a huge explosion in Pearl Harbor. He thought it was a warship's ammunition exploding. Later, the I-69 fired a torpedo at a destroyer. The destroyer saw the torpedo and moved away. Then, it attacked the I-69 with depth charges.
The next day, the I-69 and I-68 waited for the midget submarine crews. But no one returned. On December 9, 1941, the I-69 attacked a cargo ship but missed. It was depth-charged again. Later, it got caught in an anti-submarine net. After hours, it broke free, but its periscope was damaged. It had been underwater for about 39 hours. The submarine then left Hawaii and returned to Kwajalein.
Second Patrol: Midway Atoll
The I-69 started its second patrol on January 12, 1942. It was ordered to check out Midway Atoll. On February 8, 1942, it surfaced near Midway to fire at a radio station. It fired only three shots before being forced to dive by return fire.
On February 10, 1942, it tried to bombard Midway again. But two U.S. Marine Corps fighter planes spotted it. They dropped bombs near the submarine and fired their guns. The I-69 quickly dived after firing only two shots. It returned to Kwajalein on February 17, 1942.
Third and Fourth Patrols
The I-69 began its third patrol on February 18, 1942. It was sent to defend Rabaul from U.S. air raids. But the U.S. forces pulled back. So, the I-69 was sent to patrol near Wake Island. This patrol was quiet. It then went to Kure, Japan, for repairs.
After repairs, the I-69 started its fourth patrol on April 15, 1942. It patrolled near Wake Island again. This patrol was also quiet. It arrived back at Kwajalein on May 9, 1942. While there, its name was changed to I-169 on May 20, 1942.
Fifth Patrol: Battle of Midway
On May 24, 1942, the I-169 left Kwajalein for its fifth patrol. It was supporting Japan's plan to invade Midway Atoll. It was part of a group of submarines forming a patrol line. Their job was to stop American ships coming to Midway.
During the Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942), the Japanese suffered a big defeat. The I-169 did not see any action during this patrol. The invasion of Midway was canceled. The I-169 returned to Kwajalein on June 20, 1942.
Sixth Patrol
The I-169 started its sixth patrol on July 9, 1942. It was ordered to scout New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. In July, it explored Saint Vincent Bay in New Caledonia.
On July 25, 1942, southeast of Nouméa, it fired torpedoes at a Dutch cargo ship called Tjinegara. This ship was carrying U.S. Army troops. After several hits, the Tjinegara sank. On August 4-5, 1942, the I-169 scouted Port Vila in the New Hebrides. It had to leave when two destroyers chased it. It finished its patrol at Truk on August 15, 1942.
Guadalcanal and Aleutians
The I-169 returned to Japan for more repairs in August 1942. After repairs, it went back to Truk in September 1942. It was then involved in the Guadalcanal campaign. In November 1942, Japanese submarines were ordered to deliver supplies to the army on Guadalcanal. The I-169 helped with this effort. It returned to Kure in January 1943.
In 1943, the I-169 was part of the Aleutian Islands campaign. It made several trips to carry supplies and soldiers to Kiska island. On one trip, it carried a small midget submarine. On February 28, 1943, a U.S. Navy destroyer attacked it with depth charges.
In May 1943, the Battle of Attu began. The Japanese decided to evacuate their troops from Kiska. The I-169 carried rifles, ammunition, and food to Kiska. It also helped scout the area. On June 9, 1943, it dropped off its cargo at Kiska. It then took 60 passengers and left Kiska on June 10, 1943. It survived another attack by a radar-equipped destroyer.
The last Japanese troops left Kiska on July 28, 1943. The I-169 returned to Kure for repairs in August 1943.
Operations from Truk
After repairs, the I-169 sailed to Truk in October 1943. It was ordered to attack an Allied convoy near the Hawaiian Islands.
In November 1943, the I-169 was patrolling near the Marshall Islands. It received orders to go to Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. U.S. forces were invading Tarawa and Makin Atoll. The I-169 was ordered to form a patrol line north of Makin. An American plane spotted it, but it managed to dive and escape. It returned to Truk on December 9, 1943.
While at Truk, the I-169 took on torpedoes and supplies. In January 1944, it was assigned to Submarine Division 12. It went on supply missions to Buka and Buin. It returned to Truk in March 1944.
Loss of the I-169
On April 4, 1944, the I-169 was anchored in Truk Lagoon. It was taking on supplies, and some of its crew were ashore. Around 9:00 AM, an air raid warning sounded. U.S. Navy planes were approaching.
The watch officer on the I-169 ordered an immediate dive. But most of its deck hatches were still open. Also, a main valve was not closed properly. This caused the back parts of the submarine to flood right away. An attempt to surface failed. Even though the crew sealed off the flooded areas, the I-169 sank to the bottom in 125 feet (38 meters) of water.
At first, no one knew the submarine was in trouble. Only when it didn't surface after the air raid did people get worried. A diver went down and found it. He tapped on the hull and heard tapping back from the trapped crew.
Rescue efforts began on April 5, 1944. A repair ship with a crane and a tugboat tried to lift the I-169's front end. But the crane's cable broke because the submarine was too heavy. Tapping from the crew eventually stopped. All the trapped men who survived the initial flooding sadly ran out of air.
Aftermath
On April 17, 1944, U.S. codebreakers intercepted a Japanese message. It gave a first report on why the I-169 sank. It mentioned that a hatchway and an engine room cover were left open. This caused flooding.
In the weeks after the sinking, divers recovered 32 bodies from the front parts of the submarine. The Japanese started calling the I-169 "Shinohara". This was after its commanding officer, Lieutenant Shigeo Shinohara, who survived because he was ashore.
In May 1944, the Japanese thought Truk would be invaded. They set off depth charges around the I-169. They wanted to destroy it before it could fall into enemy hands. This heavily damaged the submarine's front and conning tower. The Allies decided not to invade Truk, so it stayed Japanese until the end of World War II.
The I-169 was removed from the Navy list on June 10, 1944.
The wreck of the I-169 was found again in February 1972. Six divers went inside and filmed it. In August 1973, the remains of its crew were returned to Japan. They were cremated there, following Japanese custom.
Commemoration
The I-169's ship's bell is now on display at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan.
Images for kids
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The wreck of Japanese submarine I-169 on December 1, 2015.
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A close-up view of the wreck of Japanese submarine I-169 on December 1, 2015.
