Tsutomi Sakuma

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Tsutomi Sakuma (1879-April 19, 1910) was a Japanese naval officer who served during the Russo-Japanese War and one of the first submarine commanders of the Imperial Japanese Navy, known primarily as the commanding officer during the sinking of the No. 6 submarine.

Born in the Fukui prefecture, Sakuma graduated from the Japanese Naval Academy in 1901. Serving with the 15th Torpedo Boat Flotilla during the Russo-Japanese War, Sakuma took part in the Battle of Tsushima on May 26, 1905 onboard the cruiser IJN Kasagi.

In 1907, Sakuma enlisted in submarine service eventually receiving command of the Japanese built Holland-type submarine No. 6 and, while engaged in a practice dive in the Inland Sea, the submarine suffered a malfunction resulting in the loss of the ship and crew on April 19, 1910. After the submarine was recovered by Japanese authorities, Sakuma's journal was found with a detailed analysis of what may have caused the accident ending with an apology to the Emperor for the loss of the submarine and his crew before the ship's air eventually ran out. Posted in later press reports, Sakuma became was a posthumous national hero and an example for courage and steadfastness within the Imperial Japanese Navy.

[edit] References

• Dupuy, Trevor N. The Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biography, New York, 1992