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| IJN Type B1 submarine 2,584 Tons (surfaced) 3,654 Tons (submerged) 356' 4" x 30' 6" x 16' 10" 6 × 21" torpedo tubes with 17 torpedoes 1 × 14cm deck gun 1x E14Y1 Glen |
Sub History Built by Kawasaki at the Kawasaki Yard in Kobe. Laid down January 7, 1939 as Submarine No. 40. Launched February 24, 1940 as I-21. Completed and commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) attached to Yokosuka Naval District under the command of Commander Tatsushi Irie. Assigned to the Sixth Fleet, SubDiv 3 in SubRon 1 with I-22. On October 31, 1941 placed under the command of Commander Kanji Matsumura. On November 19, 1941 departs Yokosuka bound for Hitokappu Bay (Kasatka Bay) arriving three days later. On November 26, 1941 departs Hitokappu Bay (Kasatka Bay) on her first war patrol with I-19 and I-23 to act as lookouts off Hawaii ahead of the Operation "Z" Carrier Striking Force. On November 27, 1941 while enroute all three submarines refuel at sea from a fleet oiler. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 I-21 arrives at her patrol position to the north of Oahu. On December 9, 1941 aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) is reported by I-6 and all available submarines suface and proceed at flank speed to intercept. During the pursuit, I-21 suffers several diesil engine breakdowns and is spotted by several SBD Dauntless dive bombers and is forced to crash dive. On December 13, 1941 at 1:00pm while surfaced, bombed by a single plane from the port quarter that makes a bomb run but is foiled and on the second run drops a single bomb that lands near the port side but fails to explode. On December 14, 1941 the pursuit of the aircraft carrier is aborted and the submarines are ordered to the west coast to attack shipping with I-21 assigned to patrol off Point Arguello in California. PARTIAL HISTORY On May 19, 1942 in the early morning, surfaces and launches her E14Y1 Glen piloted by Warrant Flying Officer Ito on a reconnaissance flight over Suva Bay on Suva in Fiji and spots a light cruiser and seven submarine chasers and after an hour and a half flight returns to the submarine. On May 24, 1942 at dawn, I-21 surfaces and launches her E14Y1 Glen piloted by Warrant Flying Officer Ito to reconnoiter Auckland but due to storms is unable to spot anything in Waitematā Harbour (Auckland Harbor). Flying over Auckland Airfield at 1,315', landing lights are switched on at an airfield believing his plane is Allied then returns safely. Afterwards, proceeds to Sydney. On May 29, 1942 in the early morning, Japanese submarine I-21 surfaces and launches her E14Y Glen piloted by Warrant Flying Officer Ito to reconnoiter Sydney Harbor. Over Cockatoo Island, caught by three searchlights but escapes. At 4:20am circles Sydney Harbor twice near anchored heavy cruiser USS Chicago (CA-29) and was mistaken as an American plane. RAAF fighters were scrambled to intercept, but were unsuccessful and the Glenn returns to the submarine. While landing in heavy seas, the floatplane capsizes and is later scuttled. Ito reports spotting a "battleship" and Captain Sasaki orders his force to prepare to attack Sydney Harbor. PARTIAL HISTORY On November 27, 1943 at 6:08pm I-21 operating northwest of Tarawa reports that it has spotted an enemy ship roughly 30 miles southwest of Tarawa. This is the last transmission from the submarine. Sinking History On November 29, 1943 at 9:57pm a TBF Avenger from Air Group 35 aboard USS Chenango (CVE-28) spots a submarine and claims it as sunk off the Gilbert Islands. This report is likely the sinking of I-21 that went missing while on patrol. On November 30, 1943 I-21 is ordered to report on the situation off Tarawa but never acknowledges the message or transmits. On December 24, 1943 presumed lost with all hands in the vicinity of the Gilbert Islands. On April 30, 1944 officially removed from the Navy list. References Combined Fleet - HIJMS Submarine I-21: Tabular Record of Movement Contribute
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