Ume (梅, "Japanese apricot") was one of 18 Matsu-classescort destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) near the end of World War II. Completed in mid-1944, the ship spent her short career escorting troop and supply convoys. She played a minor role in the Battle of Ormoc Bay in early December, escorting a troop convoy in the Philippines, and was damaged there by American aircraft a week later. After repairs that lasted until January 1945, the ship led a small group of destroyers back to the Philippines in an attempt to evacuate aircrew, but was sunk by American bombers near Japanese Taiwan on the last day of the month.
Designed for ease of production, the Matsu class was smaller, slower and more lightly armed than previous destroyers as the IJN intended them for second-line duties like escorting convoys, releasing the larger ships for missions with the fleet.[1] The ships measured 100 meters (328 ft 1 in) long overall, with a beam of 9.35 meters (30 ft 8 in) and a draft of 3.3 meters (10 ft 10 in).[2] Their crew numbered 210 officers and enlisted men.[3] They displaced 1,282 metric tons (1,262 long tons) at standard load and 1,554 metric tons (1,529 long tons) at deep load.[4] The ships had two Kampon geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by two Kampon water-tube boilers. The turbines were rated at a total of 19,000 shaft horsepower (14,000 kW) for a speed of 27.8 knots (51.5 km/h; 32.0 mph). The Matsus had a range of 4,680 nautical miles (8,670 km; 5,390 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).[5]
The main armament of the Matsu-class ships consisted of three 127-millimeter (5 in) Type 89dual-purpose guns in one twin-gun mount aft and one single mount forward of the superstructure. The single mount was partially protected against spray by a gun shield. The accuracy of the Type 89 guns was severely reduced against aircraft because no high-angle gunnery director was fitted. The ships carried a total of 20 Type 96 25-millimeter (1 in)anti-aircraft guns in four triple and eight single mounts. The Matsus were equipped with a Type 22 surface-search radar.[6] The ships were also armed with a single rotating quadruple mount amidships for 610-millimeter (24 in) torpedoes. They could deliver their 36 depth charges via two stern rails and two throwers.[2][6]
Ume probably was not initially fitted with a Type 13early-warning radar. The radar and five additional 25 mm guns on single mounts were installed in late 1944.[6]
Together with her sister shipsMomi and Momo, Ume escorted the aircraft carriersRyūhō and Kaiyō on a transport mission from Sasebo to Keelung, Japanese Taiwan, then returned to Kure, between 25 October and 2 November. The division's next task was to escort the hybrid battleship/carriers Hyūga and her sister Ise as they ferried supplies to Manila, Philippines, on 9 November. American air raids deterred the battleships from completing the journey, and the ships were diverted to the Spratly Islands. She then joined the escort for the 2nd Fleet during their movement from Brunei to Mako, Japanese Taiwan.[10]
Battle of Ormoc Bayedit
The Battle of Ormoc Bay was a part of the larger Battle of Leyte. Ume was assigned to TA No. 8 along with Momo, Sugi, and the sub-chasersCh.18 and Ch.38; Ume's captain served as the convoy commander. They were escorting five troopships carrying the 4,000 men of the 68th Brigade to Ormoc and departed on 5 December. American forces began landing a few miles south of Ormoc on 7 December, and the convoy was spotted by American aircraft that morning. Their initial attack was ineffective, but the convoy was diverted to the fishing port of San Isidro after it received word that the Americans were landing near their destination. Shortly after the transports began unloading,[10] they were attacked by MarineVought F4U Corsair fighter-bombers of VMF-211. The initial attacks hit one transport and caused her to run aground for the loss of three Corsairs.[11] The convoy commander then ordered his ships to beach themselves and continue to unload their troops and equipment, while the escorts withdrew northward. Further attacks that afternoon lightly damaged Ume and Sugi and sank two of the transports, while only one was able to beach itself.[10] All told, the convoy was attacked by a total of 24 Corsairs, 86 Republic P-47 Thunderbolts and 43 Curtiss P-40 Warhawks.[11]Ume arrived in Manila two days later.[10]
The ship was moderately damaged by an American bomb on 15 December, and she sailed to Occupied Hong Kong for repairs. Ume arrived in Takao, Japanese Taiwan, on 20 January 1945. Ten days later, the ship led her sister Kaede and the destroyer Shiokaze on a mission to evacuate stranded aircrew from Aparri, Philippines.[9] The next day a dozen North American B-25 Mitchells from the 822d Bombardment Squadron attacked the ships 20 miles (32 km) south of Taiwan, sinking Ume as well as damaging Kaede and Shiokaze. The latter ship rescued the survivors, but 77 men were killed and 36 wounded.[9][12]
Futrell, Frank (1983) [1953]. Craven, Wesley F. & Cate, James L. (eds.). The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki: June 1944 to August 1945. The Army Air Forces in World War II. Vol. 5. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History.
Hammel, Eric (1998). Air War Pacific Chronology: America's Air War against Japan in East Asia and the Pacific, 1941–1945. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Press. ISBN0-935553-26-6.
Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN0-87021-893-X.
Nevitt, Allyn D. (1 January 2024). "IJN Momo: Tabular Record of Movement". www.combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
Nevitt, Allyn D. (7 January 2012). "IJN Ume: Tabular Record of Movement". www.combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
Stille, Mark (2013). Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers 1919–45 (2): Asahio to Tachibana Classes. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN978-1-84908-987-6.
Sturton, Ian (1980). "Japan". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN0-85177-146-7.
Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN0-87021-326-1.
May 05, 2024
japanese, destroyer, 1944, japanese, apricot, matsu, class, escort, destroyers, built, imperial, japanese, navy, near, world, completed, 1944, ship, spent, short, career, escorting, troop, supply, convoys, played, minor, role, battle, ormoc, early, december, e. Ume 梅 Japanese apricot was one of 18 Matsu class escort destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy IJN near the end of World War II Completed in mid 1944 the ship spent her short career escorting troop and supply convoys She played a minor role in the Battle of Ormoc Bay in early December escorting a troop convoy in the Philippines and was damaged there by American aircraft a week later After repairs that lasted until January 1945 the ship led a small group of destroyers back to the Philippines in an attempt to evacuate aircrew but was sunk by American bombers near Japanese Taiwan on the last day of the month Sister ship Momi 4 September 1944History Empire of Japan NameUme NamesakeJapanese apricot BuilderFujinagata Shipyards Osaka Laid down25 January 1944 Launched24 April 1944 Completed28 June 1944 Stricken10 March 1945 FateSunk by aircraft 31 January 1945 General characteristics as built Class and typeMatsu class escort destroyer Displacement1 282 t 1 262 long tons standard Length100 m 328 ft 1 in o a Beam9 35 m 30 ft 8 in Draft3 3 m 10 ft 10 in Installed power2 water tube boilers 19 000 shp 14 000 kW Propulsion2 shafts 2 geared steam turbines Speed27 8 knots 51 5 km h 32 0 mph Range4 680 nmi 8 670 km 5 390 mi at 16 knots 30 km h 18 mph Complement210 Sensors and processing systems1 Type 22 search radar 1 Type 13 early warning radar Armament1 twin 1 single 127 mm 5 in DP guns 4 triple 8 single 25 mm 1 in AA guns 1 quadruple 610 mm 24 in torpedo tubes 2 rails 2 throwers for 36 depth charges Contents 1 Design and description 2 Construction and career 2 1 Battle of Ormoc Bay 3 References 4 BibliographyDesign and description editDesigned for ease of production the Matsu class was smaller slower and more lightly armed than previous destroyers as the IJN intended them for second line duties like escorting convoys releasing the larger ships for missions with the fleet 1 The ships measured 100 meters 328 ft 1 in long overall with a beam of 9 35 meters 30 ft 8 in and a draft of 3 3 meters 10 ft 10 in 2 Their crew numbered 210 officers and enlisted men 3 They displaced 1 282 metric tons 1 262 long tons at standard load and 1 554 metric tons 1 529 long tons at deep load 4 The ships had two Kampon geared steam turbines each driving one propeller shaft using steam provided by two Kampon water tube boilers The turbines were rated at a total of 19 000 shaft horsepower 14 000 kW for a speed of 27 8 knots 51 5 km h 32 0 mph The Matsus had a range of 4 680 nautical miles 8 670 km 5 390 mi at 16 knots 30 km h 18 mph 5 The main armament of the Matsu class ships consisted of three 127 millimeter 5 in Type 89 dual purpose guns in one twin gun mount aft and one single mount forward of the superstructure The single mount was partially protected against spray by a gun shield The accuracy of the Type 89 guns was severely reduced against aircraft because no high angle gunnery director was fitted The ships carried a total of 20 Type 96 25 millimeter 1 in anti aircraft guns in four triple and eight single mounts The Matsus were equipped with a Type 22 surface search radar 6 The ships were also armed with a single rotating quadruple mount amidships for 610 millimeter 24 in torpedoes They could deliver their 36 depth charges via two stern rails and two throwers 2 6 Ume probably was not initially fitted with a Type 13 early warning radar The radar and five additional 25 mm guns on single mounts were installed in late 1944 6 Construction and career editAuthorized in the late 1942 Modified 5th Naval Armaments Supplement Program 7 Ume Japanese apricot was laid down by Fujinagata Shipyards at their facility in Osaka on 1 December 1943 and launched on 24 April 1944 8 Upon her completion on 10 June 1944 Ume was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 11 of the Combined Fleet for training and then the 43rd Destroyer Division of Destroyer Squadron 11 on 15 July The division was transferred to the 31st Escort Squadron of the 5th Fleet on 20 August 9 Together with her sister ships Momi and Momo Ume escorted the aircraft carriers Ryuhō and Kaiyō on a transport mission from Sasebo to Keelung Japanese Taiwan then returned to Kure between 25 October and 2 November The division s next task was to escort the hybrid battleship carriers Hyuga and her sister Ise as they ferried supplies to Manila Philippines on 9 November American air raids deterred the battleships from completing the journey and the ships were diverted to the Spratly Islands She then joined the escort for the 2nd Fleet during their movement from Brunei to Mako Japanese Taiwan 10 Battle of Ormoc Bay edit The Battle of Ormoc Bay was a part of the larger Battle of Leyte Ume was assigned to TA No 8 along with Momo Sugi and the sub chasers Ch 18 and Ch 38 Ume s captain served as the convoy commander They were escorting five troopships carrying the 4 000 men of the 68th Brigade to Ormoc and departed on 5 December American forces began landing a few miles south of Ormoc on 7 December and the convoy was spotted by American aircraft that morning Their initial attack was ineffective but the convoy was diverted to the fishing port of San Isidro after it received word that the Americans were landing near their destination Shortly after the transports began unloading 10 they were attacked by Marine Vought F4U Corsair fighter bombers of VMF 211 The initial attacks hit one transport and caused her to run aground for the loss of three Corsairs 11 The convoy commander then ordered his ships to beach themselves and continue to unload their troops and equipment while the escorts withdrew northward Further attacks that afternoon lightly damaged Ume and Sugi and sank two of the transports while only one was able to beach itself 10 All told the convoy was attacked by a total of 24 Corsairs 86 Republic P 47 Thunderbolts and 43 Curtiss P 40 Warhawks 11 Ume arrived in Manila two days later 10 The ship was moderately damaged by an American bomb on 15 December and she sailed to Occupied Hong Kong for repairs Ume arrived in Takao Japanese Taiwan on 20 January 1945 Ten days later the ship led her sister Kaede and the destroyer Shiokaze on a mission to evacuate stranded aircrew from Aparri Philippines 9 The next day a dozen North American B 25 Mitchells from the 822d Bombardment Squadron attacked the ships 20 miles 32 km south of Taiwan sinking Ume as well as damaging Kaede and Shiokaze The latter ship rescued the survivors but 77 men were killed and 36 wounded 9 12 References edit Stille p 38 a b Sturton p 196 Stille p 45 Whitley p 206 Jentschura Jung amp Mickel p 151 a b c Stille p 41 Jentschura Jung amp Mickel p 152 Stille p 40 a b c Nevitt 2012 a b c d Nevitt 2024 a b Hammel p 513 Futrell p 429Bibliography editFutrell Frank 1983 1953 Craven Wesley F amp Cate James L eds The Pacific Matterhorn to Nagasaki June 1944 to August 1945 The Army Air Forces in World War II Vol 5 Washington D C Office of Air Force History Hammel Eric 1998 Air War Pacific Chronology America s Air War against Japan in East Asia and the Pacific 1941 1945 Pacifica California Pacifica Press ISBN 0 935553 26 6 Jentschura Hansgeorg Jung Dieter amp Mickel Peter 1977 Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1869 1945 Annapolis Maryland United States Naval Institute ISBN 0 87021 893 X Nevitt Allyn D 1 January 2024 IJN Momo Tabular Record of Movement www combinedfleet com Retrieved 27 March 2024 Nevitt Allyn D 7 January 2012 IJN Ume Tabular Record of Movement www combinedfleet com Retrieved 27 March 2024 Stille Mark 2013 Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers 1919 45 2 Asahio to Tachibana Classes Botley UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 84908 987 6 Sturton Ian 1980 Japan In Chesneau Roger ed Conway s All the World s Fighting Ships 1922 1946 Greenwich UK Conway Maritime Press ISBN 0 85177 146 7 Whitley M J 1988 Destroyers of World War Two An International Encyclopedia Annapolis Maryland Naval Institute Press ISBN 0 87021 326 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Japanese destroyer Ume 1944 amp oldid 1220235129, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
