Ashizuri-class combat support ship

The Ashizuri-class combat support ship (足摺型給油艦, Ashizuri-gata kyūyukan) was a class of two support ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II.

Ashizuri in 1943
Class overview
NameAshizuri-class combat support ship
BuildersMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Operators Imperial Japanese Navy
Built1941–1943
In commission1943–1944
Planned2
Completed2
Lost2
General characteristics
Displacement7,951 long tons (8,079 t) standard
Length133.0 m (436 ft 4 in) overall
Beam16.8 m (55 ft 1 in)
Draught6.0 m (19 ft 8 in)
Propulsion2 × Mitsubishi/MAN Model 60 diesels, 2 shafts, 6,000 bhp (4,500 kW)
Speed16 knots (18 mph; 30 km/h)
Range5,500 nmi (10,200 km) at 14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h)
Capacity
  • 2,350 tons for gasoline
  • 880 tons for ammunition and food
Complement192
Armament

Construction

In 1940, the IJN planned two support ship classes to help their aircraft carriers. One was the 4,500-ton Sunosaki class, the other one the 8,000 ton Ashizuri class. The Ashizuri was planned to support for two large-sized carriers (Akagi, Kaga and Shōkaku class) in the battlefield. The thought is the same as USS Sacramento.

Service

Not joining the IJN till mid-1943 when the Japanese navy was well and truly on the back foot, the ships participated in convoy duties delivering fuel oil around Southeast Asia. Their top speed of 16 knots meant that they would not have been capable of keeping up with the fast carrier battle groups.

Ashizuri was sunk by the USS Puffer on 5 June 1944, and Shioya was lost to USS Rasher three days later.

Ships in class
Ship # Ship Builder Laid down Launched Completed Fate
219 Ashizuri (足摺) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki Shipyard 08-07-1941 16-05-1942 30-01-1943 Sunk by USS Puffer at Sulu Sea 06°33′N 122°55′E 05-06-1944.
220 Shioya (塩屋) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki Shipyard 01-04-1942 08-03-1943 09-11-1943 Sunk by USS Rasher at west of Manado 08-06-1944.

References
  • "Rekishi Gunzō"., History of Pacific War Vol.62 "Ships of The Imperial Japanese Forces, Gakken (Japan), January 2008, ISBN 978-4-05-605008-0
  • Ships of the World special issue Vol.47, Auxiliary Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy, "Kaijinsha"., (Japan), March 1997
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