Japanese submarine I-168

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The I-168 was a Japanese Kaidai class submarine (KD6 Type) of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. At the Battle of Midway she sunk two American warships: the aircraft carrier Yorktown and the destroyer Hammann. At that time she was commanded by Lt. Cdr. Yahachi Tanabe.

The sub was completed at the Kure Dock Yard on July 31, 1934. She was originally designated I-68. On November 23, 1941, I-68 and the rest of Submarine Squadron 3 were stationed near Hawai'i to perform reconnaissance duties in preparation for the impending attack on Pearl Harbor. Still on station near Hawai'i on December 13, I-68 was subjected to 21 separate depth charge attacks. The last attack damaged her batteries and flooded the aft torpedo tubes. After undergoing repairs at Kwajalein, I-68 conducted several uneventful patrols of the Pacific before being redesignated I-168 on May 20, 1942 as part of a general sub re-numbering program undertaken by the IJN.

Following her attack on Yorktown and Hammann, I-168 was lightly damaged by depth charges from the destroyers Gwin, Hughes, and Monaghan. After conducting emergency repairs, Tanabe and his crew limped back to Japan using only two engines, a journey of twelve days. Following full repairs at Sasebo, I-168 was placed under command of LtCdr. Katsuji Watanabe and was reassigned to conduct cargo transportation missions to the beleagured Solomon Islands and Kiska.

On July 27, 1943, I-168 engaged the American submarine Scamp in the Steffen Strait near New Hanover Island. After crash-divng his boat under an incoming torpedo, LtCdr Walter Ebert returned fire, sinking I-168 with all hands.

Commanding Officers

Chief Equipping Officer - Cmdr. Nobumichi Tsuruoka - 23 February 1934 - 31 July 1934

Cmdr. Nobumichi Tsuruoka - 31 July 1934 - 15 November 1934

Lt. Cmdr. Nobunosuke Ota - 15 November 1934 - 15 November 1935

Lt. Cmdr. Yasuchika Kayabara - 15 November 1935 - 1 December 1937

Lt. Cmdr. Sumihiko Hatanaka - 1 December 1937 - 15 December 1938

Lt. Cmdr. Shinji Uchino - 15 December 1938 - 1 September 1939

Lt. Cmdr. Tomiichi Muraoka - 1 September 1939 - 19 October 1940

In Reserve - 19 October 1940 - 25 July 1941

Lt. Cmdr. Otoji Nakamura - 25 July 1941 - 31 January 1942

Lt. Cmdr. Yahachi Tanabe - 31 January 1942 - 30 June 1942

Cmdr. Kinzo Tonozuka - 30 June 1942 - 31 August 1942