Japanese Destroyer
INJ FUTMISUKI
The Japanese Destroyer IJN Fumizuki had been on active duty in the Pacific since 1941.
A barrage of enemy torpedos and bombs had rendered the Fumizuki all but impotent and the Japanese High Command ordered the crippled ship to Chuuk (formally Truk) Lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia to be repaired. On 6th February 1944 she entered the lagoon and weighed anchor in the designated spot for ships needing repair.
On the 17th February 1944, the U.S. unleashed Operation Hailstone, a concentration of air fire power designed to obliterate the Japanese military installations, aircraft and ships on Truk and the surrounding islands.
The INJ Futmisuki took her first hit at approx. 0930 hrs. She made a run for open water. At approx. 1430hrs, the U.S. TBF bombers spotted her and unleashed four 500lb bombs in quick session. The strike killed seven non-commissioned officers and men and wounded twenty-three more.
The paralysed vessel drifted northward, seawater flooded her engine room, crew quarters and lower deck. As the water rose higher and higher over her upper deck, she listed heavily to port and at 2040 hrs, finally sank.
The IJN Fumizuki now lies in 36 metres of water west of Moen Island: her role in the last great battle of the Japanese Imperial Navy almost forgotten. Although small in comparison to other wrecks in Truk Lagoon, the Fumizuki boasts a wealth of armament, coral and sea life.
INJ FUTMISUKI
The Japanese Destroyer IJN Fumizuki had been on active duty in the Pacific since 1941.
A barrage of enemy torpedos and bombs had rendered the Fumizuki all but impotent and the Japanese High Command ordered the crippled ship to Chuuk (formally Truk) Lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia to be repaired. On 6th February 1944 she entered the lagoon and weighed anchor in the designated spot for ships needing repair.
On the 17th February 1944, the U.S. unleashed Operation Hailstone, a concentration of air fire power designed to obliterate the Japanese military installations, aircraft and ships on Truk and the surrounding islands.
The INJ Futmisuki took her first hit at approx. 0930 hrs. She made a run for open water. At approx. 1430hrs, the U.S. TBF bombers spotted her and unleashed four 500lb bombs in quick session. The strike killed seven non-commissioned officers and men and wounded twenty-three more.
The paralysed vessel drifted northward, seawater flooded her engine room, crew quarters and lower deck. As the water rose higher and higher over her upper deck, she listed heavily to port and at 2040 hrs, finally sank.
The IJN Fumizuki now lies in 36 metres of water west of Moen Island: her role in the last great battle of the Japanese Imperial Navy almost forgotten. Although small in comparison to other wrecks in Truk Lagoon, the Fumizuki boasts a wealth of armament, coral and sea life.
INJ FUTMISUKI
The Japanese Destroyer IJN Fumizuki had been on active duty in the Pacific since 1941.
A barrage of enemy torpedos and bombs had rendered the Fumizuki all but impotent and the Japanese High Command ordered the crippled ship to Chuuk (formally Truk) Lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia to be repaired. On 6th February 1944 she entered the lagoon and weighed anchor in the designated spot for ships needing repair.
On the 17th February 1944, the U.S. unleashed Operation Hailstone, a concentration of air fire power designed to obliterate the Japanese military installations, aircraft and ships on Truk and the surrounding islands.
The INJ Futmisuki took her first hit at approx. 0930 hrs. She made a run for open water. At approx. 1430hrs, the U.S. TBF bombers spotted her and unleashed four 500lb bombs in quick session. The strike killed seven non-commissioned officers and men and wounded twenty-three more.
The paralysed vessel drifted northward, seawater flooded her engine room, crew quarters and lower deck. As the water rose higher and higher over her upper deck, she listed heavily to port and at 2040 hrs, finally sank.
The IJN Fumizuki now lies in 36 metres of water west of Moen Island: her role in the last great battle of the Japanese Imperial Navy almost forgotten. Although small in comparison to other wrecks in Truk Lagoon, the Fumizuki boasts a wealth of armament, coral and sea life.