x Bismarck Sea - Lae Reinforcement - Operation "81" |
| DD | DesRon3 | RAdm Masatomi Kimura: DesDiv11 (Cap Shuici Sugino): Shirajuki/F,SF,DF DesDiv8 (Cap Jasuo Sato): Arashio, Asashio |
| SurfCortDiv1 |
DesDiv19: Uranami, Shikinami
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Urakaze, Tokicukaze, Asagumo, Jukikaze | ||
| AP | 8: Aijo Maru, Kjokusei Maru, Oigawa Maru, Shinai Maru, Taimei Maru, Teijo Maru, Kembu Maru, Nojima |
| 43/02/28 | Rabaul - at night departed for Lae with reinforcement troops |
| 43/03/01 | sighted by reconnaissance planes |
| 43/03/02 | off Finschhafenu - attacked by USAF : B-17 sinking Kjokuse Maru - Jukikaze & Asagumo carry survivors to Lae |
| 43/03/03 | Asagumo and Jukikaze rejoined - again attacked by USAF: Asashio sunk (B-25) 45 nm SE of Finchhafen (07-15S, 148-15E) Arashio, Shirajuki and Tokicukaze sunk 55 nm SE of Finchhafen (07-15S, 148-30E) Oigawa Maru disabled by planes, finished by PT-143, PT-150 (06-58S, 148-16E) Aiyo Maru, Shinai Maru, Taimei Maru, Kembu Maru transport Teiyo Maru sunk E of New Guinea (06-56S, 148-08E) at night Shikinami, Jukikaze, Asagumo returned to the battle scene and rescued 190 survivors, then departed to Kavieng > Rabaul |
| 43/03/05 | back in Rabaul |