South China Sea in WW2 History | World War II Database

26 Nov 1943

Pacific Ocean

In a blinding rainstorm at night, submarine USS Bowfin accidentally found herself in the midst of a Japanese convoy of large merchant ships off French Indochina (Vietnam). Nearly ramming one large tanker, Bowfin fired torpedoes in all directions sinking two ship and probably damaging others. In the exchange, Bowfin was struck by gunfire with a ricocheting shot that came up into her island. Damage was minor but affected Bowfin’s diving ability until adequate repairs could be made. ww2dbase [Bowfin | South China Sea | DS]

22 Jan 1944

Pacific Ocean

Submarine USS Tinosa attacked a convoy of four merchant ships plus escorts west of Borneo's northern cape. One spread of three torpedoes sunk the converted tankers Koshin Maru and Seinan Maru (10,900 tons combined). ww2dbase [Tinosa | South China Sea | DS]

29 Apr 1944

Pacific Ocean

Submarine USS Bang sighted a Japanese convoy northwest of Luzon in South China Sea and sank cargo ship Takegawa Maru and tanker Nittatsu Maru while also damaging cargo ship Yashima Maru. Parche and Tinosa also attacked. Tinosa was officially credited with no ships sunk but recorded torpedo hits on three ships with one believed to be sunk. ww2dbase [Tinosa | Parche | Bang | South China Sea | DS]

3 May 1944

Pacific Ocean

Submarines USS Parche, Bang, and Tinosa attacked one Japanese convoy in the South China Sea and then another the following day for a total of five ships sunk. ww2dbase [Tinosa | Parche | Bang | South China Sea | DS]

12 Sep 1944

Pacific Ocean

Submarine USS Growler engaged two different Japanese convoys in the South China Sea expending a total of 23 torpedoes. Growler sunk 860-ton coastal defense vessel Hirato in the first attack (killing Rear Admiral Kajioka Sadamichi, noted for commanding multiple amphibious operations earlier in the war) and the 1,950-ton Fubuki-class destroyer Shikinami in the second. ww2dbase [Growler | South China Sea | DS]

7 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

While escorting the Lingayen Gulf attack force off Manila, destroyers USS Shaw, Charles Ausburne, Braine, and Russel detected Japanese escort ship Hinoki at night. Following a barrage of gunfire, Hinoki sank with all hands with no damage to the American ships. ww2dbase [Philippines Campaign, Phase 2 | Shaw | South China Sea | DS]

24 Jan 1945

Pacific Ocean

USS Nicholas was sent to investigate a small boat 200 miles west of Manila. Three Japanese Army soldiers were recovered from an open boat after 20 days adrift. Nicholas transferred the POWs to USS Phoenix. ww2dbase [Nicholas | South China Sea | DS]

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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