World War II Database

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ww2dbaseKinu was the fifth Nagara-class light cruiser, completed in 1922. Between 1934 and 1935, she served largely as a training vessel. When the war began in China, she patrolled the Chinese coast until 1938. On 20 Nov 1941, she became the flagship of Rear Admiral Setsuzo Yoshitomi of Submarine Squadron 4; in this role, she covered the landings at Malaya at the onset of the Pacific War. On 13 Dec, she departed Camranh Bay in Indochina to provide cover for the Kuantuan, Malaya landings. Between 17 and 24 Dec, she covered the landings at Borneo. Between Jan and Mar 1942, she provided support for troops fighting in Malaya, Borneo, and Java. On 1 Mar, her convoy was attacked by Australian and New Zealand aircraft in the Java Sea; she was lightly damaged by near misses, and during the attack three of her crew were killed by shrapnel. On 2 Mar, she was attacked by American submarine S-38, but all four torpedoes failed to hit her. On 10 Mar, she was assigned to Cruiser Division 16. Between 29 Mar and 23 Apr 1942, she was a part of the N Expeditionary Force under Rear Admiral Ruitaro Fujita. With this force, she supported the invasion of New Guinea. In May 1942, she received an overhaul at Kure, Japan. Between Jun and Sep, she patrolled in the Java Sea. On 13 Sep, she embarked elements of the 2nd Infantry Division at Jakarta, Java, disembarking them at Shortland Island and Bougainville on 22 Sep. She remained in the Dutch East Indies region through Jun 1943. On 23 Jun 1943, while at anchor at Makassar, Celebes, she was attacked by 17 B-24 Liberator bombers of the 319th Squadron, 90th Bomb Group (H), US 5th Air Force; she suffered only slight damage from near misses, but was recalled to Japan for repairs and modifications; she arrived at Kure on 2 Aug, where she would remain until 14 Oct for upgraded anti-aircraft weaponry and air search radar.

ww2dbaseThrough Jan 1944, Kinu patrolled in the Sinagpore-Malaya-Java area. On 27 May 1944, she was dispatched to react to the American invasion of Biak Island, but was recalled after learning that the Americans were moving against Saipan in the Mariana Islands. On 6 Jun, while anchored off Weigo Island, Vogelkop, New Guinea, she was attacked by B-24 bombers of 380th Group, US 5th Air Force, but sustained no damage. On 11 Oct 1944, she collided with cruiser Aoba during a training exercise off Lingga near Singapore, causing slight damage.

ww2dbaseOn 21 Oct 1944, Kinu, together with Cruiser Division 16, transported 2,500 soldiers of the Japanese 41st Regiment from Mindanao to Leyte in the Philippine Islands. American submarine Bream spotted the convoy on 23 Oct, and proceeded to attack cruiser and flagship Aoba with six torpedoes, one of which hit Aoba's No. 2 engine room. Rear Admiral Sakonjo transferred his flag to Kinu, which towed Aoba to the Cavite Navy yard near Manila for temporary repairs. On 24 Oct, she was attacked by American aircraft, suffering slight damage from near misses and lost many crewmen to American strafing. On 25 Oct, she embarked 347 men, and along with other warships and transports all carrying troops, and set sail. On the next day, 26 Oct, the convoy was attacked in the Visayan Sea by 75 to 80 American aircraft from Task Group 77.4. Kinu was hit by two bombs by an aircraft from USS Manila Bay. At 1130 hours, a third hit was recorded, hitting the engine room and starting a fire. After the abandon ship order was given, transports in the convoy rescued most of her crew and passengers. At 1730 hours, Kinu sank by the stern about 44 miles southwest of Masbate, Philippine Islands.

Photographs

Kinu Operational Timeline