South China Sea in WW2 History | World War II Database

30 Mar 1939

Pacific Ocean

Japanese troops occupied the Spratly Islands (Japanese: Shinnan Shoto) in the South China Sea. They were to be administered by Japanese authorities in Taiwan. The Japanese Navy would soon built a seaplane base and a submarine base on the island of Itu Aba (Japanese: Nagashima). ww2dbase [Spratly Islands, South China Sea | CPC]

9 Dec 1941

Pacific Ocean

USS S-38 was ordered to shift her patrol area to waters west of Mindoro, Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [S-38 | South China Sea | CPC]

10 Dec 1941

Pacific Ocean

Japanese submarine I-58 spotted British battleship HMS Prince of Wales and battlecruiser HMS Repulse off British Malaya, launched five torpedoes, but all of them missed; beginning at 1117 hours, Japanese aircraft began to attack. Overwhelmed, HMS Repulse was sunk at 1233 hours (513 killed), followed by HMS Prince of Wales at 1318 hours (327 killed); destroyers HMS Electra, HMS Express, and HMS Vampire rescued 1,862 survivors. On land, the British commanders dispatched the 1st Battalion of the 14th Punjab Regiment and the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Gurkha Rifles regiment to Changlun and Asun in northern British Malaya to counter the Japanese advance; contact was made at Changlun at 2100 hours, where two Japanese tanks were destroyed before the Punjabi troops fell back toward Asun. ww2dbase [Invasion of Malaya and Singapore | Kongo | Haruna | Kumano | Takao | Atago | Prince of Wales | Repulse | I-58/I-158 | South China Sea | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 10 Dec 1941

HMS Prince of Wales under attack off Kuantan, Malaya, 10 Dec 1941

12 Dec 1941

Pacific Ocean

USS S-38 fired a torpedo at what the commanding officer thought was a Japanese transport west of Cape Calavite, Mindoro, Philippine Islands. The torpedo scored a hit and sank the ship, and it was discovered that the target was Norwegian freighter Hydra II. 41 were killed. ww2dbase [S-38 | South China Sea | CPC]

19 Dec 1941

Pacific Ocean

USS S-38 set departed waters west of Mindoro, Phlippine Islands after sundown. ww2dbase [S-38 | South China Sea | CPC]

23 Dec 1941

Pacific Ocean

USS Permit fired two torpedoes at a Japanese destroyer in the South China Sea; both torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Permit | South China Sea | CPC]

1 Jan 1942

Pacific Ocean

S-36 fired a torpedo at a transport during the day in the South China Sea. She claimed to have sank the ship, but Japanese records did not reflect a loss at that position on that day. ww2dbase [S-36 | South China Sea | CPC]

6 May 1942

Pacific Ocean

USS Skipjack sank Japanese freighter Kanan Maru in the South China Sea 50 miles northeast of Cam Rahn Bay, French Indochina, hitting her with one of three torpedoes fired; she attacked another target with another spread of three torpedoes, all of which missed the target. ww2dbase [Skipjack | South China Sea | CPC]

7 May 1942

Pacific Ocean

USS SKipjack attacked a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all three torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Skipjack | South China Sea | CPC]

8 May 1942

Pacific Ocean

USS Skipjack attacked a small Japanese convoy, sinking Japanese transport Bujun Maru and damaging transport Taiyu Maru in the South China Sea 140 miles northeast of Cam Rahn Bay, French Indochina; six torpedoes were expended in this attack, three of which found their targets. ww2dbase [Skipjack | South China Sea | CPC]

13 May 1942

Pacific Ocean

USS Skipjack sank a Japanese ship in the South China Sea, hitting her with one of four torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Skipjack | South China Sea | CPC]

28 May 1942

Pacific Ocean

USS Salmon sank Japanese passenger-cargo ship Ganges Maru in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Salmon | South China Sea | CPC]

7 Aug 1942

Pacific Ocean

USS Grayback fired two torpedoes at a Japanese trawler in the South China Sea; both torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Grayback | South China Sea | CPC]

12 Aug 1942

Pacific Ocean

USS Grayback fired three torpedoes at a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Grayback | South China Sea | CPC]

26 Aug 1942

Pacific Ocean

USS Haddock fired 6 torpedoes at Japanese freighter Teishun Maru, sinking her with 1 hit in the East China Sea 85 miles north of Taiwan at 0813 hours. ww2dbase [Haddock | South China Sea | CPC]

21 Apr 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Runner attacked a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all 5 torpedoes fired missed. ww2dbase [Runner (Gato-class) | South China Sea | CPC]

24 Apr 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Runner damaged a Japanese transport in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 3 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Runner (Gato-class) | South China Sea | CPC]

30 Jul 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Finback sank a Japanese freighter in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 3 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Finback | South China Sea | CPC]

1 Aug 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Finback damaged a Japanese transport in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 4 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Finback | South China Sea | CPC]

3 Aug 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Finback sank a Japanese cargo ship in the South China Sea, hitting her with 2 of 5 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Finback | South China Sea | CPC]

11 Aug 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Finback damaged a Japanese ship in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 7 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Finback | South China Sea | CPC]

23 Aug 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Sunfish damaged a Japanese transport in the South China Sea, hitting her with 2 of 3 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Sunfish (Gato-class) | South China Sea | CPC]

1 Oct 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Pompon attacked a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all 4 torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Pompon | South China Sea | CPC]

8 Nov 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, sinking two tankers and damaging several other ships; she expended 18 torpedoes in this series of attacks, 13 of which made hits. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

11 Dec 1943

Pacific Ocean

USS Pompon sank two small Japanese boats in the South China Sea with her deck gun. ww2dbase [Pompon | South China Sea | CPC]

4 Jan 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Cabrilla sank a Japanese transport in the late afternoon in the South China Sea, hitting her with 3 of 6 torpedoes fired. Six hours later, she attacked another oiler with 3 torpedoes, damaging her with 1. ww2dbase [Cabrilla | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bluefish sank a Japanese oiler and damaged other ships in the South China Sea, hitting them with 3 of 13 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

5 Jan 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish attacked a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all 3 torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

7 Jan 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Puffer sank a Japanese trawler in the South China Sea with her deck gun. ww2dbase [Puffer | South China Sea | CPC]

19 Feb 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Grayback sank two small Japanese transports in the South China Sea southwest of Taiwan. ww2dbase [Grayback | South China Sea | CPC]

2 Mar 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Ray began pursuing a nine-ship Japanese convoy in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]

3 Mar 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Ray fired four torpedoes at a nine-ship Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, damaging one tanker with one torpedo hit. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bluefish attacked a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all 10 torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

4 Mar 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish sank a Japanese oiler in the South China Sea, hitting her with 3 of 3 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

18 Mar 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Ray fired six torpedoes at two Japanese destroyers and one patrol craft in the South China Sea; her crew reported hearing one explosion, but could not confirm it as the submarine dove in expectation of counterattacks. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]

22 Mar 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Mingo fired six torpedoes at a Japanese freighter in the South China Sea; all missed. ww2dbase [Mingo | South China Sea | CPC]

8 May 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Hoe attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, damaging army tanker Akane Maru and freighter Sado with 2 of 6 torpedoes fired in the South China Sea west of Luzon Strait. ww2dbase [Hoe | South China Sea | CPC]

18 May 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Puffer attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, firing 9 torpedoes, 2 of which hit and sank freighter Shinryu Maru. ww2dbase [Puffer | South China Sea | CPC]

19 May 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Hoe claimed damaging a Japanese ship and sinking another in the South China Sea after scoring 2 torpedoes on each of the ships; a total of 10 torpedoes were fired. ww2dbase [Hoe | South China Sea | CPC]

22 May 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Puffer attacked a Japanese carrier in the South China Sea, firing 6 torpedoes and claiming 1 hit. ww2dbase [Puffer | South China Sea | CPC]

23 May 1944

Pacific Ocean

The 6,586-ton American submarine USS Lapon (SS-260) sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Wales Maru in the South China Sea, hitting her with all four torpedoes fired. At the time the ship was carrying Unit 234 of the Independent Flight Corps of 1,000 men; the unit lost 50 men as the Wales Maru went down with 13 members of her crew. ww2dbase [Lapon | South China Sea | HM]

25 May 1944

Pacific Ocean

Landing ship No. 104 was sunk by US aircraft west of Luzon island, Philippines. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | South China Sea | CPC]

4 Jun 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Flier attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, sinking transport Hakusan Maru and damaging another ship; 6 torpedoes were expended in this attack, 3 of which scored hits. ww2dbase [Flier | South China Sea | CPC]

5 Jun 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Puffer sank Japanese tankers Ashizuri and Takasaki in the South China Sea, hitting them all 7 of the torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Puffer | South China Sea | CPC]

13 Jun 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Flier attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, damaging a tanker with 2 of 4 torpedoes fired; she was subjected to a heavy counterattack. ww2dbase [Flier | South China Sea | CPC]

22 Jun 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Flier gave pursuit to a large Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, scoring hits with 4 of 6 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Flier | South China Sea | CPC]

23 Jun 1944

Pacific Ocean

In the South China Sea, USS Flier continued to attack the same Japanese convoy which she had been pursuing since the previous day, sinking a transport with 3 of 4 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Flier | South China Sea | CPC]

16 Jul 1944

Pacific Ocean

Submarine USS Thresher (Lieutenant Commander D. C. MacMillan) fired 10 torpedoes toward Japanese convoy Tama 21C, en route from Takao in Taiwan to Manila in the Philippine Islands, sinking 2,838-ton Japanese transport Shozen Maru and fatally damaging 4,916-ton Japanese merchant ship Sainei Maru. USS Thresher's records claimed 6 hits and claimed the sinking of two transports and one destroyer. ww2dbase [Thresher | South China Sea | CPC, HM]

17 Jul 1944

Pacific Ocean

Task Group 17.16 (USS Guardfish, USS Piranha, and USS Thresher) sank a freighter and a cargo ship in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Guardfish | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Cabrilla made a night time attack against a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, sinking an oiler and two transports, hitting them with 5 of 9 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Cabrilla | South China Sea | CPC]
The 4,916-ton Japanese merchant ship Sainei Maru, damaged by a torpedo from American submarine USS Thresher on the previous day, sank in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [South China Sea | HM]

18 Jul 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Ray sank Japanese tanker Janbi Maru in the South China Sea, expending 22 torpedoes during the pursuit, 8 of which hit. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]

7 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Guitarro attacked a Japanese convoy off Luzon, Philippine Islands in the South China Sea, sinking frigate Kusakaki with three of the six torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Guitarro | South China Sea | CPC]

8 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Guitarro sank a small vessel off Luzon, Philippine Islands in the South China Sea with her deck gun. ww2dbase [Guitarro | South China Sea | CPC]

17 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish and USS Puffer sank a Japanese oiler off of Mindoro, Philippine Islands; USS Bluefish hit her with 1 of 1 torpedo fired. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

18 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Gunnel attacked a Japanese transport with her deck gun in the South China Sea, causing no damage. ww2dbase [Gunnel | South China Sea | CPC]

19 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish sank a Japanese transport and a Japanese oiler in the South China Sea, hitting them with 9 of 12 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

20 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Gunnel attacked a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all 9 torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Gunnel | South China Sea | CPC]

22 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Gunnel attacked a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all 6 torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Gunnel | South China Sea | CPC]

24 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

Submarines USS Harder and USS Hake attacked two Japanese destroyers off Dasol Bay, Luzon, Philippine Islands, but was in turn subjected to a heavy depth charge attack. USS Harder was sunk with all hands lost. ww2dbase [Harder | South China Sea | AC, CPC]

25 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Tunny arrived in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Tunny | South China Sea | CPC]

31 Aug 1944

Pacific Ocean

While attacking a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea with other submarines of her wolfpack, USS Tunny was attacked by gunfire and depth charges. Tunny did not fire any torpedoes. ww2dbase [Tunny | South China Sea | CPC]

27 Sep 1944

Pacific Ocean

Kamoi was hit by a torpedo from submarine USS Bonefish in the South China Sea at 0500 hours; she arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands for repairs in the evening. ww2dbase [Kamoi | South China Sea | CPC]

29 Sep 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Whale made rendezvous with USS Seahorse and received orders to patrol waters in the South China Sea southwest of Taiwan. ww2dbase [Whale | South China Sea | CPC]

1 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Cabrilla attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, sinking two transports with 4 of 10 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Cabrilla | South China Sea | CPC]

3 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall attacked a small vessel east of French Indochina with her deck gun, causing no damage. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

6 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Cabrilla attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea during the day, sinking an oiler and a transport, hitting them with 5 of 6 torpedoes fired. After sundown, she attacked a destroyer escort with 4 torpedoes, all of which missed. ww2dbase [Cabrilla | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Ray gave chase to a Japanese tanker in the South China Sea, damaging her with 1 torpedo hit (of 6 torpedoes fired) but did not sink her. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Whale attacked a Japanese convoy as a part of a wolfpack in the South China Sea, sinking Japanese transport Akane Maru, hitting her with 5 of 6 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Whale | South China Sea | CPC]

7 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya sank a Japanese transport in the South China Sea, hitting her with 2 of 6 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Cabrilla sank a Japanese transport in the South China Sea, hitting her with 3 of 4 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Cabrilla | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Hawkbill detected a Japanese carrier in the South China Sea, but was driven off by destroyers. ww2dbase [Hawkbill | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Whale received orders to move to waters northwest of Luzon, Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [Whale | South China Sea | CPC]

8 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Hoe fired 17 torpedoes at a Japanese convoy, scoring 5 hits, sinking troop transport Kohoku Maru and damaging 3 other ships including corvette Kaibokan No. 8 in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Hoe | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Becuna damaged Japanese tanker Kimikawa Maru in the South China Sea with two of four torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Becuna | South China Sea | CPC]
Kamoi and the rest of her convoy received faulty intelligence that US submarines were no longer threatening the sea route to Takao, Taiwan, and the convoy set course to that original destination. ww2dbase [Kamoi | South China Sea | CPC]

9 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Becuna attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, claiming two sunk and two damaged; ten torpedoes were expended, seven of them made contact. ww2dbase [Becuna | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Hawkbill attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China sea with USS Becuna, damaging several ships with her torpedoes. ww2dbase [Hawkbill | South China Sea | CPC]
Kamoi changed course for Hong Kong after her convoy was attacked several times by US submarines. ww2dbase [Kamoi | South China Sea | CPC]

12 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Ray sank Japanese cargo ship Toko Maru in the South China Sea, hitting her with 2 of 4 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]

14 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Ray's conning tower suffered flooding while she dove to escape an approaching Japanese patrol aircraft in the South China Sea; she would sail to Mios Woendi near Biak, Dutch East Indies for repairs. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]

16 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Whale was spotted and attacked by Japanese aircraft in the South China Sea, but suffered no damage. ww2dbase [Whale | South China Sea | CPC]

18 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

Landing ship No. 135 was sunk by US aircraft off of the western coast of Luzon island, Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | South China Sea | CPC]

20 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

Yamato refueled in Brunei Bay. ww2dbase [Yamato | Brunei Bay, South China Sea | CPC]

21 Oct 1944

Photo(s) dated 21 Oct 1944

Musashi, Yamato, a cruiser, and Nagato at Brunei, Borneo, Oct 1944; cropped photograph

Musashi, Yamato, a cruiser, and Nagato at Brunei, Borneo, Oct 1944

22 Oct 1944

Photo(s) dated 22 Oct 1944

Japanese Center Force departing Brunei Bay, Borneo for Philippine Islands, 22 Oct 1944

23 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita transferred his flag aboard Yamato after his former flagship Atago was sunk by submarine USS Darter. ww2dbase [Yamato | South China Sea | CPC]
US submarines Darter and Dace detected a Japanese fleet in the Palawan Strait and reported the movement. Darter sank cruisers Atago and Maya. ww2dbase [Philippines Campaign, Phase 1, the Leyte Campaign | South China Sea | CPC]

26 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Rock sank Japanese tanker Takasago Maru No. 7 with three torpedoes in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Rock | South China Sea | CPC]

27 Oct 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall sank a Japanese transport in the South China Sea, hitting her with 4 of 6 torpedoes. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

1 Nov 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Haddock fired 11 torpedoes at a convoy in the South China Sea, claiming 2 hits on 2 transports. ww2dbase [Haddock | South China Sea | CPC]

8 Nov 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Gunnel sank Japanese motor torpedo boat Sagi in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 3 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Gunnel | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Barbero sank Japanese tanker Shimotsu Maru in the South China Sea, hitting her with 3 of 11 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Barbero | South China Sea | CPC]

17 Nov 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Gunnel attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, sinking passenger-cargo ship Shunten Maru and damaging several ships; 16 torpedoes were expended during this attack, 7 of which scored hits. ww2dbase [Gunnel | South China Sea | CPC]

19 Nov 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya departed Fremantle, Australia for her second war patrol in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | AC]

25 Nov 1944

Pacific Ocean

The Japanese Army SB craft formerly known as Navy landing ship No. 113 was sunk by US aircraft in the South China Sea west of Luzon, Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | South China Sea | CPC]
Landing ship No. 142 was sunk by US aircraft in the South China Sea west of Luzon, Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | South China Sea | CPC]
Landing ship No. 161 was sunk by US aircraft in the South China Sea west of Luzon island, Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | South China Sea | CPC]

6 Dec 1944

Pacific Ocean

Submarines USS Segundo, USS Trepang, and USS Razorback sank all ships in a 7-ship Japanese convoy, escorted by destroyer Kuretake and submarine chaser CH-33, in the South China Sea. Segundo was credited with damaging Yasukuni Maru (later scuttled) and sinking a unidentified ammunition ship. ww2dbase [Segundo | South China Sea | CPC]

13 Dec 1944

Pacific Ocean

US submarine USS Bergall and Japanese heavy cruiser Myoko engaged in a brief combat south of French Indochina during in which both vessels sustained damage; Myoko was hit by one torpedo (of six fired) on the aft port side while Bergall was damaged by an 8-inch shell that passed through without detonating. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

17 Dec 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya fired six torpedoes at a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]

24 Dec 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Barbero sank Japanese tanker Junpo Maru and damaged a transport in the South China Sea, hitting them with 9 of 14 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Barbero | South China Sea | CPC]

27 Dec 1944

Pacific Ocean

USS Caiman detected a small Japanese armed ship in the South China Sea and fired 3 torpedoes; they failed to hit the target. ww2dbase [Caiman | South China Sea | CPC]

30 Dec 1944

Photo(s) dated 30 Dec 1944

Task Force 38 operational track for Operation Gratitude into the South China Sea, Dec 30, 1944 through Jan 26, 1945.

6 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

US Navy Rear Admiral Theodore Chandler was severely injured after being drenched in flaming gasoline when the cruiser USS Louisville was struck by a Japanese kamikaze special attack during the pre-assault bombardment off Lingayen Gulf in the Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [Philippines Campaign, Phase 2 | Theodore Chandler | South China Sea | AC, DS]

7 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

The Japanese Army SB craft formerly known as Navy landing ship No. 112 was sunk by US aircraft in the South China Sea west of Luzon, Philippine Islands. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | South China Sea | CPC]
Rear Admiral Theodore E. Chandler died aboard USS Louisville from wounds sustained the day before in an aerial special attack against the ship. ww2dbase [Philippines Campaign, Phase 2 | Theodore Chandler | South China Sea | DS]

8 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

Rear Admiral Theodore E. Chandler was buried at sea from the deck of USS Louisville after being killed in an aerial special attack two days earlier. ww2dbase [Theodore Chandler | South China Sea | DS]

11 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

US Task Force 38 in the South China Sea received orders to bombard a Japanese position on the Cam Ranh Bay in Indochina on the next day. ww2dbase [Raid into the South China Sea | South China Sea | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 11 Jan 1945

Four-part weather map of the South China Sea for Jan 11 to 14, 1945. Note daily positions of Task Force 38.

13 Jan 1945

Photo(s) dated 13 Jan 1945

USS Langley in heavy seas in the South China Sea in the morning of 13 Jan 1945. Note the trailing USS Washington riding the storm much better.

15 Jan 1945

Photo(s) dated 15 Jan 1945

Helldiver aircraft over Hornet, South China Sea, mid-Jan 1945, photo 2 of 2

Helldiver aircraft over Hornet, South China Sea, mid-Jan 1945, photo 1 of 2

18 Jan 1945

Photo(s) dated 18 Jan 1945

Anti-aircraft gun crews aboard Light Carrier USS Langley roll with the ship in heavy seas in the South China Sea, Jan 18, 1945

21 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Boarfish attacked a Japanese convoy three times in the South China Sea in a period of three hours before dawn; all 16 torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Boarfish | South China Sea | CPC]

27 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall sank a Japanese patrol vessel in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 1 torpedo. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

29 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall attacked a Japanese patrol vessel in the South China Sea; the torpedo missed. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

30 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall sank a Japanese transport in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 1 torpedo. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

31 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Boarfish attacked a Japanese convoy three times in the South China Sea, sinking cargo ship Enki Maru (1 of 2 torpedoes hit) and damaging cargo ship Taietsu Maru (1 of 2 torpedoes hit; she would later be finished off by US aircraft). ww2dbase [Boarfish | South China Sea | CPC]

13 Feb 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall damaged a large Japanese warship in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 6 torpedoes. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

20 Feb 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Pintado was detected by a Japanese aircraft in the South China Sea, which damaged her with depth charges. ww2dbase [Pintado | South China Sea | CPC]

22 Feb 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Becuna fired ten torpedoes at a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, with one torpedo making contact and sinking Japanese tanker Nichiyoko Maru. ww2dbase [Becuna | South China Sea | CPC]

25 Feb 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Hoe sank Japanese convoy escort ship Shonan with 1 of 4 torpedoes fired from periscope depth in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Hoe | South China Sea | CPC]

4 Mar 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya fired six torpedoes at a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, hitting a transport and an oil with 2 torpedoes each and sinking both. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]

15 Mar 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Hoe discovered a small sinking Chinese sailboat near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. She came alongside and picked up six crew members of the boat. ww2dbase [Hoe | South China Sea | CPC]

20 Mar 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya claimed sinking a Japanese destroyer in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 3 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]

21 Mar 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya fired three torpedoes at a Japanese transport in the South China Sea; all torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]

23 Mar 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Sea Robin rescued a downed American airman in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Sea Robin | South China Sea | CPC]

27 Mar 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Caiman detected a Japanese cargo ship in the southern South China Sea and fired 4 torpedoes; they failed to hit the target. ww2dbase [Caiman | South China Sea | CPC]

28 Mar 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Boarfish attacked a Japanese patrol vessel in the South China Sea; all 3 torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Boarfish | South China Sea | CPC]

30 Mar 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Sea Robin detected a group of six Japanese destroyers in the South China Sea just off Hainan, China. She fired 3 and then 6 torpedoes, but all 9 torpedoes missed. She survived 20 minutes of depth charging after the attack. ww2dbase [Sea Robin | South China Sea | CPC]

4 Apr 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Gabilan and her wolfpack mates detected Japanese cruiser Isuzu in the South China Sea and gave chase. She sank one of the escorting gunboats with her deck gun. ww2dbase [Gabilan | South China Sea | CPC]

7 Apr 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Gabilan sank the already-damaged Japanese cruiser Isuzu, which she and her wolfpack mates had been chasing since 4 Apr 1945, in the South China Sea, hitting her with 1 of 6 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Gabilan | South China Sea | CPC]

8 Apr 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Sea Robin sank two small Japanese fishing vessels in the South China Sea with her deck gun and took on 3 survivors. ww2dbase [Sea Robin | South China Sea | CPC]

9 Apr 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Sea Robin took on 10 survivors of a sinking Japanese trawler damaged by Allied aircraft in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Sea Robin | South China Sea | CPC]

11 Apr 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Gabilan fired four torpedoes at a convoy of small Japanese ships in the South China Sea; all torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Gabilan | South China Sea | CPC]

12 Apr 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall fired a torpedo at a Japanese patrol vessel in the South China Sea; the torpedo missed. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

13 Apr 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall fired two torpedoes at a Japanese patrol vessel in the South China Sea; both torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

14 Apr 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Gabilan sank a Japanese freighters in the South China Sea in the morning, hitting her with 2 of 4 torpedoes fired. In the evening, she sank another freight in the same area, hitting her with all 4 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Gabilan | South China Sea | CPC]

13 May 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, hitting them with 7 of 10 torpedoes fired, and claiming 3 sinkings. The only confirmed sinking would be the Yosei Maru. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]

18 May 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bergall damaged a small Japanese vessel with her deck gun in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Bergall | South China Sea | CPC]

6 Jun 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Capitaine fired four torpedoes at a small Japanese patrol craft in the South China Sea; all torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Capitaine | South China Sea | CPC]

11 Jun 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Caiman sank two Japanese schooners by gunfire in the southern South China Sea. ww2dbase [Caiman | South China Sea | CPC]

27 Jun 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya fired six torpedoes at a Japanese vessel in the South China Sea; all torpedoes missed. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]

8 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish sank a Japanese patrol boat in the South China Sea, hitting her with 2 of 12 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

14 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish sank Japanese submarine I-351 in the South China Sea. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

15 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish sank Japanese submarine I-351 in the South China Sea, hitting her with 2 of 5 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

16 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya (Lieutenant Commander B. C. Jarvis, USN) detected the 945-ton Japanese coastal patrol vessel Kari in the Java Sea via her SJ radar, beraing 273 degrees at the range of 20,100 yards; she shared this report with USS Becuna. USS Becua attacked at 0210 hours, but all torpedoes with a depth setting of four feet missed the target; this information was shared with USS Baya. Beginning at 0221 hours, USS Baya fired a total of 9 torpedoes, all set at zero depth, at the range of 3,000 yards, scoring one hit. At 0426 hours, two more stern torpedoes were launched, scoring an additional hit right below the funnel. The second hit nearly disintegrated Kari at about 220 nautical miles west-southwest of Makassar of Dutch East Indies. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC, HM]

19 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bluefish sank a Japanese patrol boat with her deck gun southeast of Singapore. ww2dbase [Bluefish | South China Sea | CPC]

20 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Baya attacked a Japanese patrol craft in the South China Sea with her deck gun. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]

23 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking two small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]

24 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking a small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 4 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

25 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking two small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 6 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

26 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bugara sank 5 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

27 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking three small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]

28 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bugara sank 4 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day and 1 more during the night. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

29 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bugara sank 4 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Cabrilla attacked a Japanese patrol vessel with an acoustic seeking torpedo in the South China Sea; the torpedo missed. ww2dbase [Cabrilla | South China Sea | CPC]

30 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking two small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 3 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

31 Jul 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking two small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 1 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area before dawn, and 4 more during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

1 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking three small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]

2 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Bugara sank 1 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area before dawn, and 5 more during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

3 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking two small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 2 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

4 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking a small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 3 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Ray sank 3 small Japanese vessels in the Gulf of Thailand and 2 small Japanese vessels in the South China Sea with her deck gun. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]

5 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking 11 small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 4 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Ray sank 2 small Japanese vessels in the South China Sea with her deck gun. ww2dbase [Ray | South China Sea | CPC]

6 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking four small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 4 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day and 1 more during the night. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

7 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking four small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Bugara sank 2 small enemy craft with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam and South China Sea area during the day. ww2dbase [Bugara | South China Sea | CPC]

8 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking 11 small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]

9 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking three small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]

10 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking six small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Caiman sank a Japanese schooner by gunfire in the southern South China Sea. ww2dbase [Caiman | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Carbonero sank two schooners and a sampan with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam-South China Sea area. ww2dbase [Carbonero | South China Sea | CPC]

11 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Blenny reported sinking three small Japanese craft with the deck gun in the South China Sea off Malaya. ww2dbase [Blenny | South China Sea | CPC]
USS Carbonero sank a sampan with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam-South China Sea area. ww2dbase [Carbonero | South China Sea | CPC]

12 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Carbonero sank a junk with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam-South China Sea area. ww2dbase [Carbonero | South China Sea | CPC]

13 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Carbonero sank two schooners with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam-South China Sea area. ww2dbase [Carbonero | South China Sea | CPC]

14 Aug 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Carbonero sank a junk with her deck gun in the Gulf of Siam-South China Sea area. ww2dbase [Carbonero | South China Sea | CPC]

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis

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