New Zealand Minesweepers Sink an Enemy Sub – Intermission Story (19)
A story I failed to locate from 1943.
By early 1943 the ships of the New Zealand minesweeping flotilla were patrolling along the Guadalcanal coast. The Americans had landed successfully, but Japanese land, air and sea forces held footholds and were still contesting the islands. Although the destroyers of the nocturnal ‘Tokyo Express’ were still active, the Bird-class ships’ usual targets were small craft and submarines attempting to land troops and supplies.
On the night of 29 January Kiwi and Moa were patrolling along Kamimbo Bay, on the north-western corner of Guadacanal, when Kiwi detected a submarine. It made a depth charge attack, but then lost contact. Kiwi continued to attack and on its third run, the damaged submarine surfaced and attempted to fight it out.
On paper it was two-to-one, but the Japanese sub I-1 was a formidable opponent. At 2135 tons surfaced, the Type J1 class were one and a half times bigger than Moa and Kiwi combined. Undamaged, the sub could outrun them by about five knots. The I-1’s 140-mm gun had greater range and hitting power than the New Zealand ships’ 102-mm guns, and it also had powerful torpedoes. No wonder that to the Kiwi’s crew in the dark, the Japanese shells sounded ‘like an express train going through’.
In confined waters the Kiwi’s commander, Lieutenant-Commander Gordon Brisdon, decided to get in close to negate some of the sub’s advantages. But that meant braving a hail of fire from light-calibre weapons. Japanese machine-guns bullets sprayed the Kiwi, mortally wounding Acting Leading Signalman C.H. Buchanan. In pain and bleeding, he remained at his post, lighting up the sub for the gunners with his searchlight.
With a crunching sound, the Kiwi rammed the I-1 right behind the conning tower. Locked together, the vessels continued to blaze away at each other with light weapons. Twice more Brisdon pulled his ship away from the huge submarine only to ram it again, badly damaging his opponent and crumpling his own bows. When Kiwi’s main gun overheated, Moa took over, chasing the submarine until it ran aground on a reef.
This information comes directly from the New Zealand history website. By clicking on the links additional information can be acquired.
Critical codes remained on board the submarine and the Japanese command tried unsuccessfully to destroy the boat with air and submarine attacks. The US Navy reportedly salvaged code books, charts, manuals, the ship’s log and other secret documents.
The sinking of the Japanese submarine was only one of the contributions made by New Zealand to the defeat of Japan in the Pacific. The sinking of I-1 remains one of the proudest moments in New Zealand naval history.
Click on images to enlarge.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Alto ‘Bud’ Adams – St.Lucie County, FL; US Navy, WWII
Colin Bennett – Gisborne, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 46820, WWII
Allan Cameron – Taranaki, NZ; RNZ Army # 459507, WWII, SSgt.
Vivian King (102) – New Plymouth, NZ; 27 NZ(MG)BTN # 42512, WWII, Sgt.
John Pay – Hawkes Bay, NZ; RNZ Air Force, WWII, PTO
Henry ‘Joe’ Sargeant – Auckland, NZ; RNZ Navy, WWII
Harry Dean Stanton – W.Irvine, KY; US Navy, WWII
Bruce Stott – Auckland, NZ; RNZ Navy # 10517, WWII
Hugh Turnbull (103) – Wellington, NZ; British Army ONZM # 129228, WWII, artillery
Jason Woodworth – Kea’au, HI; US Army, 11th Airborne Division
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Posted on September 25, 2017, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, History, Military, Military History, Navy, New Zealand, Pacific War, Tributes, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 92 Comments.
Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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Thank you, Ned.
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Your posts are too good not to share GP in full hope you like l featured it here Ian https://history2research.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/featured-writer-new-zealand-minesweepers-sink-an-enemy-sub-intermission-story-19/
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Well, I thank you very much. History needs to be learned and passed on and this is an excellent example of stories not taught in school. Such devotion to duty.
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You are truly welcome l will share them on a regular basis now you like it … Regards as always Ian …
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The sorry part of this story is that the New Zealand and perhaps the British were negligence in recognizing the effort of Acting Leading Signalman C.H. Buchanan; he got an M.I.D. (Mention in Despatches) no other acknowledgement for his bravery. Some have received the VC for less.
At least the US recognized it by awarding him the US Navy Cross, posthumous though it may have been it was justifiable recognition for a very brave young man
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Here, I agree wholeheartedly with you, Beari!! Who knows what damage that sub might have caused if not stopped right then and there!!
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Took great courage to fight an enemy of superior strength GP
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That’s what I call ‘devotion to duty!’
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I never knew that ramming was a widespread tactic employed in modern ship warfare. You’d really have to think twice about doing it as it would obviously damage your own vessel.
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I don’t think ramming is a preferred tactic, for that very reason. But the minesweepers had little else to work with. Necessity is the mother of invention.
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Ramming may not have been preferred then, but in the Civil War they thought it quite successful. The Mississippi Ram Boats were used extensively by North and South to keep the enemy from receiving their supplies.
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Very true, Bev. That whole scenario of the Civil War was forgotten in that “Black Hole” of a brain of mine.
[I call it my black hole because everything goes in – but very rarely does anything want to come out!!]
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I love the paratroopers prayer. My uncle Thomas , a lifetime military man, was a paratrooper , a master Sargeant he was tough but I never saw that side of him. Thank you so much GP.
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It seems they all had 2 sides to them – and thank goodness the strong part fought for us!! Thank you for commenting today, Hollie.
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So true. Beneath that mild exterior beat the heart of a lion.
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Here’s something funny GP. My daughter just had a lesson on how the New Zealanders were nicknamed Kiwis by “foreign” soldiers during the war …all because they wore the flightless Kiwi on their uniforms.
Hey, I don’t know how accurate this is but it was in the reading for Lady J’s 6th grade geography course 🙂
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It goes back way farther than that, Lady G. Here’s a link that will explain far better than I can….
https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/why-are-new-zealanders-called-kiwis/
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Oh thanks GP! I will certainly take a look 🙂
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Weer een boeiende verhaal waar ik echt niets van af wist
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I have a feeling that statistically the New Zealanders were the most decorated section of the RAF during the conflict. They were certainly pretty determined to get that sub.
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I doubt anyone could argue with that statement, John! Quite courageous on their part!
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I’ve covered this story in more than one of my books – particularly in the 60th anniversary history I wrote of the RNZN where the navy gave me access to eyewitness accounts. It was a tremendous engagement and true heroism on the part of both commanders and their crews. My ex-wife’s brother (the RNZN’s official artist) did a formal painting of the moment. To me the action pretty much sums up the Kiwi spirit.
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I should have asked you to write the post then!! I was wishing I had a first hand account of this story!
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What an incredible story. Like so many others, I have little knowledge or understanding of Australia and New Zealand’s role in the war. Now that I follow some bloggers from that area of the world, I’ve learned more, but the details you provide really are wonderful — even if the experiences weren’t.
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That you so very much for your interest, Linda. It is such a pleasure to post these stories when I have a reader such as yourself who actually wants to know what happened out there.
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thank you for sharing this story, the men deserve the recognition.
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You are very welcome.
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I was told by one present at the time of the salvaging of that gun that he had a bright idea, and to the bods wielding the ‘gas axe’ mentioned that the sub was engaged in action at the time it ended up aground … they got the message and checked, and there was indeed an unfired round in the breech …
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Thank you for the additional info. Much appreciated!
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Thanks, GP. A great story that more should read.
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Thank you, John. I appreciate that.
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you for helping me to share these stories and get these men the recognition they deserve.
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As someone who panics in any tight space, I have high respect for submarine personnel!
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My mother had claustrophobia, so I understand. Thank you for dropping in!
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As always, G, a moving tale full of bravery. –Curt
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It is difficult to top this one, eh?
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I was like, OMG. Ram it again…
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You’d like to see it be a movie too – wouldn’t you?!! haha
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Like the fact that New Zealand is proud of their contributions to WWII, and maintains a website to keep their history alive.
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They are about the only country where most of the obituaries include their service numbers – they have every reason to be proud and they show it [in both life and death]!! Thanks for stopping by, Bev!!
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The NZ History website is government funded and run – I know the key people responsible for it (some of them long-standing friends in the field). It’s a tremendous resource and can be relied on for its impartial accuracy, the research that has gone into it is excellent.
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Thank you for confirming that for the readers. I have been into the site quite often and always find it to be reliable, although sometimes shy of detailed information. On this story – they came through above and beyond!
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Very interesting. I never hear about Australia or New Zealand’s contribution to the war effort. Except from your site. Thanks!
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Although I am glad to hear you like the posts, I am disappointed that other sites fail to show the united effort those troops put forth. They were called Allies for a very good reason!
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It’s frightening to attack another vessel with your own vessel. That’s not only couragous — it is beyond gutsy!
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That was one Hell of a generation – one that will never be surpassed.
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Great story, GP – and it’s good to see your hat tip to the Kiwis, here! We in the U.S. tend to think of the Pacific war as being only the U.S. against Japan when in fact, the Anzacs played a very important part in bringing Japan to its knees.
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Most certainly! I have often had trouble finding such stories or there would be more.
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The New Zealand government was eager to contribute in the Pacific – where we had seen threat from Japan since before the First World War – and began by opening up the country in 1942 for the US to use as the supply base for the Solomons campaign and foundation for the US efforts against Tarawa, among other islands – the bases were primarily in the Wellington district and are marked today with memorial plaques and interpretation boards. The US service presence here has become part of our history! NZ’s own direct contribution was limited by manpower restrictions but extended to providing a two-brigade division (1943-44), air power (fighter squadrons and a/s aircraft, flying boats and light bombers) and ultimately the whole of our effective naval strength (much of which was expended) along with a very substantial contribution to logistics. That included monolithic quantities of tinned “M&V” rations for the whole Pacific theatre, much of which were produced from a factory in Hawke’s Bay. The issue the government faced was that manpower was insufficient to do all this AND continue to field a full division plus air forces in Europe, and by negotiation the decision was taken to maintain the naval and air but not the land forces in the Pacific, this enabling the logistics support to continue unabated in the 1944-45 season. (That decision was also informed in part by the politics of the Pacific war.)
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Politics always seems to ‘gum-up’ the works, no matter where you are. As part of the Commonwealth some people have trouble understanding exactly if or where the New Zealand troops fought. I try to clarify as best as I can and is the reason I reviewed one of your books to bring their outstanding contributions to light. Perhaps I need to do another one ?
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Thank you – and do feel free to review any of my various writings on the subject. The NZ contribution to WW2 remains a major part of our own history but has – understandably, given its actual scale – been lost amidst the general story of the combatant nations.
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Unfortunately, quite true.
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Matthew,
I was just wandering around your site and noticed that many of the topics listed at the top of each post no longer work. Is this intentional?
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Thanks for letting me know. That isn’t intentional. I’ll look into it – this is a WordPress.com site so all of that should be functional. Thanks again for the heads-up.
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No problem. Hope your repairs go well.
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Fabulous story. Keep ’em coming. 🙂
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I’ll sure try – thanks!
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What a story of bravery and courage on the part of the NZ mine sweepers! With such a formidable enemy the captains could have easily decided to withdraw from the fight.
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So easily in theory, but not when you have such brave men as the captains and their crew. They definitely went above and beyond!!
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It was the Kiwi way… 🙂 (Speaking as New Zealander… not that I am biased or anything…)
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Now, who would ever think you biased, Matthew? 🙂
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This is another tale that would make a terrific underdog movie, with these ships punching above their weight and winning.”Ramming speed!!” says the captain.
I knew that WWII subs still had deck guns, but didn’t realize they were cannons of that size.
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I wish i had an eye witness story from this incident, I can’t imagine what those sailors felt, eh?
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Shooting machine guns back and forth at pointblank range sounds just a bit terrifying.
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It has a tendency to rattles ones nerves I imagine! 🙂
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Excellent story! It is always important to remember the allies who have stood by the U.S. in times of trouble.
A few years later, but my Uncle, Kenneth Klippel, served on a minesweeper off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Not exactly glorious duty and often very much … the unsung heroes!
As far as the NFL, I have never been a big Dallas Cowboys fan, but I think I may have to start. I will not watch any team whose players will not stand for the national anthem!
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Thank you for reading the article, DC.
My opinion on the NFL – I believe in freedom speech, most of us do. But I also believe in decorum and a time and place for everything – a football field during your National Anthem is NOT the correct venue. These overpaid though highly athletic men become idols for children and adults alike, they should limit their political ideas to their private lives. It is confusing how they defy the flag and the anthem, but will applaud a serviceman who fights for it. My son died a Marine and I personally take their actions as a slap on his memory.
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I think we are on the same page.
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I believe we are!
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I could just visualize the ship ramming into the sub—it sounds like something you’d see in a movie, not real life. Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure, Amy. It does have that dramatic effect, doesn’t it ?!
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For sure!
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A story of courage. Thanks for posting it.
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I just wish i had found it sooner, Pierre. Thanks for reading it!
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Brave men, and good to see many such men acknowledged in the farewell salutes.
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I’m always saying we need to look at all sides, so here’s another one of them. Thanks for reading, Ann!!
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What a great story. I can only imagine what that sounded like and what it must have felt like when the ships were locked together. I’m trying to think of the courage involved in realizing that, in order to survive, you were going to have to get closer.
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That’s the makings of real men. [a far cry from kneeling on a football field – IMO].
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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Thank you, Penny. I think it’s important we remember.
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Always good to know more about our Australia and New Zealand allies’ contributions to victory in WWII, and you’ve been good about writing about these forces. I think we Americans sometimes forget we had allies during the war who fought and died with us, sometimes with even greater losses. Australia and New Zealand have been with us on many fronts since WWI.
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Exactly my point, Doug. History in school is usually one-sided. I do my best to correct that.
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Hi GP thanks for liking my recreation not Finished yet got thousands more to do its going to take time scanning flim reel s frame by frame for all fans anyone who like s Bruce Lee and what ever else I decide to post like the original s of Arnold Schwarzenegger the running man ice cube original negative s and so on Expensive I get no fun out of doing this its to pass time and for everyone who like thanks again my friend ,
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My pleasure. But you should only do what you enjoy doing, otherwise it becomes work.
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Hi GP Cox thanks for liking my Bruce Lee I have to write different titles to each thing I post I do this like you and everyone else to pass time something to do now and then nice to meet you you seem pretty cool guy Excellent web blog
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Well, thank you very much. I started this blog to get my father’s scrapbook on line (it was falling apart) and to honor his unit. In trying to answer questions, more of the war inserted and the site took on a life of its own!! I am but the narrator here, posting the facts of the war the best way I can.
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Thank you for sharing a part of Allied history showing bravery and what it means to go above and beyond.
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