View source for Japanese destroyer Tokitsukaze (1939)

{{Short description|Kagerō-class destroyer}}
{{other ships|Japanese destroyer Tokitsukaze}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = IMG Tokitsukaze.jpg
| Ship caption = ''Tokitsukaze'' stopped dead in the water by air attacks during the [[Battle of the Bismarck Sea]], March 4th 1943.
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = [[Empire of Japan]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Japan|naval}}
| Ship name = ''Tokitsukaze''
| Ship namesake = 
| Ship ordered = 
| Ship builder = [[Uraga Dock Company]]
| Ship laid down = 20 February 1939
| Ship launched = 10 November 1939
| Ship completed = 15 December 1940
| Ship commissioned = 
| Ship decommissioned = 
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship struck = 1 April 1943
| Ship reinstated = 
| Ship homeport = 
| Ship motto = 
| Ship nickname = 
| Ship honours = 
| Ship fate = Sunk in action, 3 March 1943
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = {{sclass|Kagerō|destroyer}}
| Ship displacement = {{convert|2033|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} standard
| Ship length = {{convert|118.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|10.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = {{convert|3.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = *3 × Kampon water tube boilers
*2 × Kanpon impulse turbines
*2 × shafts, {{convert|52000|shp|MW|0|abbr=on}}
| Ship speed = {{convert|35.5|kn|mph km/h|lk=in}}
| Ship range = 5,000 NM at {{convert|18|kn|mph km/h|lk=in}}
| Ship complement = 239
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = *(1939)
*6 × [[12.7 cm/50 Type 3 naval gun|12.7 cm/50 Type 3]] [[dual purpose gun|DP]] guns
*2 × [[Type 96 25&nbsp;mm AT/AA Gun|Type 96 25&nbsp;mm AA guns]]
*8 × {{convert|610|mm|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s
*18 [[depth charge]]s
*2 × [[Paravane (weapon)|paravanes]]
*(1943)
*6 × [[12.7 cm/50 Type 3 naval gun|12.7 cm/50 Type 3]] [[dual purpose gun|DP]] guns
*8 × [[Type 96 25&nbsp;mm AT/AA Gun|Type 96 25&nbsp;mm AA guns]]
*8 × {{convert|610|mm|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s
*18 [[depth charge]]s
| Ship armor = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

{{nihongo|'''''Tokitsukaze'''''|時津風| lit. “favorable wind”}} <ref>Nelson. ''Japanese-English Character Dictionary''. Page 481, 544, 960;</ref> was the tenth vessel to be commissioned in the 19-vessel {{sclass|Kagerō|destroyer|0}} [[destroyer]]s built for the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] in the late-1930s under the [[3rd Naval Armaments Supplement Programme (Japan, 1937)|Circle Three Supplementary Naval Expansion Program]] (''Maru San Keikaku'').

== Background ==
The ''Kagerō''-class destroyers were outwardly almost identical to the preceding {{sclass|Asashio|destroyer|4}}, with improvements made by Japanese naval architects to improve stability and to take advantage of Japan’s lead in [[torpedo]] technology. They were designed to accompany the Japanese main striking force and in both day and night attacks against the [[United States Navy]] as it advanced across the [[Pacific Ocean]], according to Japanese naval strategic projections.<ref>Peattie & Evans, ''Kaigun'' .</ref> Despite being one of the most powerful classes of destroyers in the world at the time of their completion, only one survived the [[Pacific War]].<ref>Globalsecurity.org, IJN Kagero class destroyers</ref>

Their crew numbered 240 officers and enlisted men. The ships measured {{convert|118.5|m|ftin|sp=us}} [[Length overall|overall]], with a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|10.8|m|ftin|sp=us}} and a [[draft (ship)|draft]] of {{convert|3.76|m|ftin|sp=us}}.<ref>Chesneau, p. 194</ref> They displaced {{convert|2065|t|LT|sp=us}} at [[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard]] load and {{convert|2529|t|LT|sp=us}} at deep load.<ref name=w3>Whitley, pp. 200–01</ref> The ships had two [[Kampon]] geared [[steam turbine]]s, each driving one [[propeller shaft]], using steam provided by three Kampon [[water-tube boiler]]s. The turbines were rated at a total of {{convert|52000|shp|lk=in}} for a designed speed of {{convert|35|kn|lk=in}}. The ships had a range of {{convert|5000|nmi|lk=in}} at a speed of {{convert|18|kn}}.<ref name=j8>Jentschura, Jung & Mickel, p. 148</ref>

The main armament of the ''Kagerō'' class consisted of six [[12.7 cm/50 Type 3 naval gun|Type 3 {{convert|127|mm|adj=on|1|sp=us}} guns]] in three twin-[[gun turret]]s, one [[superfiring]] pair aft and one turret forward of the [[superstructure]]. They were built with four [[Type 96 25&nbsp;mm AT/AA Gun|Type 96 {{convert|25|mm|adj=on|1|sp=us}}]] anti-aircraft guns in two twin-gun mounts, but more of these guns were added over the course of the war. The ships were also armed with eight {{convert|610|mm|in|adj=on|1|sp=us}} [[torpedo tube]]s for the oxygen-fueled [[Type 93 torpedo|Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedo]] in two quadruple traversing mounts; one reload was carried for each tube.<ref name=w3 /> Their anti-submarine weapons comprised 16 [[depth charge]]s.<ref name=j8 />

== Construction and career ==
'' Tokitsukaze'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 20 February 1939 at the [[Uraga Dock Company]]. The ship was [[Ship launching|launched]] on 10 November 1939 and commissioned on 15 December 1940.<ref name="tokitsu">{{cite web | url= http://homepage2.nifty.com/nishidah/e/stc0427.htm | title= Asashio class 1st class destroyers | last= Nishidah | first= Hiroshi | year= 2002 | work= Materials of the Imperial Japanese Navy | access-date= 2011-06-18 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120721073917/http://homepage2.nifty.com/nishidah/e/stc0427.htm | archive-date= 2012-07-21 | url-status= dead }}</ref>

At the time of the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], ''Tokitsukaze'', was assigned to Destroyer Division 16 (Desdiv 16), and a member of Destroyer Squadron 2 (Desron 2) of the [[IJN 2nd Fleet]], and had deployed from [[Palau]], as part of the escort for the [[aircraft carrier]] {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Ryūjō||2}} in the [[Philippines campaign (1941–1942)|invasion of the southern Philippines]].<ref name="tokitsu2">{{cite web| url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/tokits_t.htm| title= IJN ''Tokitsukaze'': Tabular Record of Movement |author= Allyn D. Nevitt  |year= 1998 |publisher= combinedfleet.com }}</ref>

In early 1942, ''Tokitsukaze'' participated in the [[Dutch East Indies campaign|invasion of the Netherlands East Indies]], escorting the invasion forces for [[Menado]], [[Kendari]] and [[Ambon Island|Ambon]] in January, and the invasion forces for [[Timor]] and eastern [[Java]] in February. On 27–26 February, she participated in the [[Battle of the Java Sea]], taking part in a torpedo attack on the Allied fleet. During the month of March, Desron 2 was engaged in [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine operations]] in the [[Java Sea]]. At the end of the month, ''Tokitsukaze'' deployed from Ambon for the invasion of Western New Guinea. At the end of April, she returned to [[Kure Naval Arsenal]] for repairs, docking on 2 May.
[[File:Aerial view of the immobile Japanese carrier Ryujo with two destroyers during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, 24 August 1942 (80-G-88018).jpg|thumb|''Tokitsukaze'' (top right) assisting the light carrier ''[[Japanese aircraft carrier Ryūjō|Ryūjō]]'' during the [[battle of the Eastern Solomons]]]]
On 21 May 1942, ''Tokitsukaze'' and Desron 2 steamed from Kure to [[Saipan]], where they rendezvoused with a troop convoy and sailed toward [[Midway Atoll|Midway Island]]. Due to the defeat of the Carrier Striking Force and loss of four fleet carriers in the [[Battle of Midway]], the invasion was called off and the convoy withdrew without seeing combat. Desdiv 16 was ordered back to Kure.<ref name="tokitsu2" /> On 14 July, ''Tokitsukaze'' was reassigned to the [[IJN 3rd Fleet]] and was assigned to escort the transport  ''Nankai Maru'' to [[Rabaul]], returning with the cruiser {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Mogami|1934|2}} to Kure in mid-August. ''Tokitsukaze'' returned to the [[Solomon Islands]] before the end of the month, in time to participate in the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]] on 24 August, as an escort to ''Ryūjō'' and the cruiser {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Tone|1937|2}}. After the battle, she assisted in the rescue of the survivors from ''Ryūjō'' and spent the month of September on patrols based out of [[Chuuk Lagoon|Truk]]. She escorted the damaged carrier {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Taiyō||2}} to Kure for repairs in mid-October.

During the [[Battle of Santa Cruz Islands]] on 26 October, she was part of Admiral [[Chuichi Nagumo|Nagumo]]’s Strike Force. In early November, she returned to Kure with {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Zuikaku||2}}, and participated in training exercises in the [[Seto Inland Sea|Inland Sea]] through the end of the year.

After redeploying to [[Shortland Island]], on 10 January, while providing cover for a [[Tokyo Express|supply-drum transport run]] to [[Guadalcanal]], ''Tokitsukaze'' assisted in sinking the American [[PT boat]]s ''PT-43'' and ''PT-112.'' Through the end of February, she continued to be used as a high speed transport in the evacuation of Japanese forces from [[Guadalcanal]].

During the [[Battle of Bismarck Sea]] on 3 March 1943, ''Tokitsukaze'' was damaged by an Allied air attack, which killed 19 crewmen and left her dead in the water. Her skipper, Cdr Masayoshi Motokura, gave the order to abandon ship, and the survivors were taken aboard the destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Yukikaze|1939|2}}. The abandoned vessel was discovered southeast of [[Finschhafen]] and sunk by [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] aircraft the following morning at coordinates ({{coord|07|16|S|148|15|E| display=inline,title}}).<ref>{{cite book | last = Brown | first = David| year = 1990 | title = Warship Losses of World War Two| publisher = Naval Institute Press| isbn = 1-55750-914-X}}</ref>

She was removed from the [[navy list]] on 1 April 1943.

== See also ==
* [[List of ships of the Japanese Navy]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

== Books ==
*{{cite book | last = Brown | first = David| year = 1990 | title = Warship Losses of World War Two| publisher = Naval Institute Press| isbn = 1-55750-914-X}}
*{{cite book | last = D'Albas | first = Andrieu| year = 1965 | title = Death of a Navy: Japanese Naval Action in World War II  | publisher = Devin-Adair Pub| isbn = 0-8159-5302-X}}
*{{cite book | last = Evans   | first = David | year = 1979 | title = Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887–1941 | publisher = US Naval Institute Press  | isbn = 0-87021-192-7}}
* {{cite book|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946|editor=Roger Chesneau|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=Grenwitch|year=1980|isbn=0-85177-146-7}}
*{{cite book | last = Howarth   | first = Stephen | year = 1983 | title = The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895–1945 | publisher = Atheneum
 | isbn = 0-689-11402-8}}
*{{cite book | last = Jentsura  | first = Hansgeorg  | year = 1976 | title = Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945 | publisher = US Naval Institute Press  | isbn = 0-87021-893-X }}
* {{cite book |last1=Watts |first1=A.J. |title=Japanese warships of World War II |date=1966 |publisher=Ian Allan |isbn=0711002150}}
* {{cite book|last=Whitley|first=M. J.|title=Destroyers of World War 2|publisher=Cassell Publishing|year=1988|isbn=1-85409-521-8}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.combinedfleet.com/kagero_c.htm  CombinedFleet.com: ''Kagero''-class destroyers.]
*[http://www.combinedfleet.com/tokits_t.htm  CombinedFleet.com: Tabular Record of Movement of ''Tokitsukaze''.]
*{{cite web| last = Globalsecurity.org| url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/kagero-dd.htm| title = IJN Kagero class destroyers}}

{{Kagerō-class destroyer}}
{{March 1943 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tokitsukaze}}
[[Category:Kagerō-class destroyers]]
[[Category:World War II destroyers of Japan]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in the Solomon Sea]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:1939 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Uraga Dock Company]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in March 1943]]
[[Category:Destroyers sunk by aircraft]]