Yukikaze was the eighth of the nineteen Kagerou-class destroyers. She was laid down on August 2, 1938, at Sasebo Naval Arsenal, her construction took 234 days. She was launched on March 24, 1939 and was commissioned on January 20, 1940. Her displacement is 2,490 tons, she is equipped with three Kampon water tube boilers, two Kampon impulse turbines with two shaft that able to produce 52,000 horsepower. Her speed is 35.5 knots, and her initial armaments are three twin 12.7cm (5 inch) 50 cal. 3rd Year Type 'Type C' naval guns, four 25mm Type-96 anti-aircraft auto-cannons, and two quadruple 24 inch torpedo tubes. She carries a total of 18 Type-95 depth charges and 2 paravanes for anti-submarine warfare.
Upon commissioning, she was assigned as the flagship of the DesDiv 16, part of DesRon 2, 2nd Fleet, she was together with Hatsukaze, Amatsukaze and Tokitsukaze, they were sent to Palau. She departed from Palau with the Southern Philippine Attack Force, she also initially escorted light carrier Ryuujou to attack Davao, they arrived at Davao on December 8, 1941. She accompanied invasion force in Legaspi, on December 24, 1941, she was attacked by P-40 fighters, she was docked at Davao for emergency repairs conducted by Akashi on December 27, 1941. she accompanied further invasion forces to Lamon Bay, Menado, Kendari, Ambon, Timor, and Eastern Java.
She participated in the Battle of Java Sea together with heavy cruisers, Nachi and Haguro from CruDiv 5, DesRon 2 flagship Jintsuu, DesRon 4 flagship Naka, and 13 destroyers. They engaged ABDA fleet composed of 2 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers and 9 destroyers. She took part in torpedo attacks on the Allies, they managed to sink 1 heavy cruiser, 1 light cruiser, and 3 destroyers, 1 destroyer from the IJN was heavily damaged, she also rescued 40 Allied soldiers during the battle. She conducted anti-submarine patrols afterwards, she assisted Amatsukaze for the sinking of USS Perch SS-176. She escorted more invasion forces from Western New Guinea out of Ambon for seizure of Sorong, Manokwari and Sarmi, then she proceed to Davao and steamed to Kure, she was docked for maintenance afterwards.
On April 26, 1942, she proceed to Saipan from Kure, she departed from Saipan to escort the Midway Occupation Force commanded by Rear Admiral Tanaka, the invasion force composed of 12 transport ships carrying about 5,000 troops, Yukikaze was together with the rest of the DesRon 2. The Occupation Force was spotted by a PBY flying boat 500 nautical miles, west-southwest of Midway, nine B-17 heavy bombers from Midway attacked the Occupation Force, the aircraft dropped their bombs but didn't inflict any significant damage due to heavy presence of anti-aircraft guns. The landing of the Occupation Force in Midway was aborted due to the American air supremacy present in the area. The Occupation Force headed for Japan via Guam afterwards.
During the major reorganization of the Combined Fleet on July 14, 1942, DesDiv 16 was reassigned to the DesRon 10, 3rd Fleet. She escorted transport ship Nankai Maru from Yokosuka to Rabaul via Formosa. She escorted Mogami and Akashi from Truk to Kure afterwards. She trained within inland waters together with carrier Hiyou from August 13 to 20, 1942, the she escorted escort carrier Unyou to Truk via Saipan. She escorted fleet patrolling the area between Truk and the Northern Solomons. She accompanied Amatsukaze to scout Nendo Island and to look for a US seaplane base.
She participated in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, she escorted Carrier Striking Force commanded by Vice Admiral Nagumo, the force composed of carrier Shoukaku and Zuikaku together with heavy cruiser Kumano from CruDiv 8, and 7 destroyers. They engaged USN Task Force 61, which composed of 2 carriers, 1 battleship, 3 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers, and 14 destroyers. Yukikaze protected Zuikaku against aerial attacks. The USN suffered 1 carrier and 1 destroyer sunk with 1 carrier and 2 destroyer were heavily damaged. The IJN suffered 1 carrier, 1 light carrier, and 1 heavy cruiser were heavily damaged. Yukikaze didn't received any damage from the engagement.
She participated in the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, she was part of Bombardment Force to bombard Henderson Field, the force was commanded by Vice Admiral Abe, she was together with battleship Kirishima and Hiei from BatDiv 11, light cruiser Nagara, and 10 destroyers.They engaged the USN fleet composed of 2 battleships, 1 heavy cruiser and 1 light cruiser with 10 destroyers. Amidst the chaos, she operated together with Nagara, and possibly with Teruzuki, she pounded USS Cushing DD-379 with her guns, Cushing was abandoned afterwards, she also possibly fires a torpedo at USS Laffey DD-459. She stood next to the crippled Hiei and protected the battleship from enemy aircraft, then she rescued survivors on Hiei including Vice Admiral Abe, she transfer the admiral to Kirishima afterwards. There is also the possibility that Yukikaze scuttled Hiei, but this doesn't appears on any combat reports nor her crews' testimonies. Yukikaze suffered a little damage from the engagement, she steamed back towards Truk on November 18, 1942.
She escorted Hiyou from Truk to Kure together with Hatsuyuki, she was docked for maintenance afterwards. She escorted Zuikaku and Zuihou to Truk, she steamed to Shortland afterwards. She participated in all three Operation Ke to evacuate troops in Guadalcanal. She escorted the damaged Maikaze from Shortland to Truk, then she returned to Rabaul afterwards. She also escorted another troop transport to Gasmata and returned to Rabaul afterwards.
She participated in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, she was assigned to accompany 8 transport ships from Rabaul to Lae together with 7 destroyers with 100 aircraft for air cover. During their mission on March 2, 1943, the escort was attacked aircraft by several aircraft from RAAF and USAAF, she assisted rescuing survivors from transport ship Kyokusei Maru together with Asagumo and took them to Lae, on March 3, 1943, she rejoined the convoy but once again attacked by Allied aircraft, she removed crew from the crippled Tokitsukaze and rescued survivors from the sunken ships, then she carried them to Rabaul via Kavieng, she arrived at Rabaul on March 5, 1943. She sustained no damage from the engagement.
She steamed from Rabaul to Shortland the transport troops to Kolombangara, she conducted another troop transport run to Kolombangara from March 13, 1943, she conducted another troop transport run to Rekata, then to Finschhafen, but this was aborted due to air attacks. She was assigned to another transport run to Tuluvu. She steamed back from Rabaul to Truk afterwards. She escorted carrier Zuikaku and Zuihou from Truk to Kure together with light cruiser Agano, destroyer Yuugumo and Akigumo, she was docked for maintenance afterwards. They fitted her with addition 25mm Type-96 AA guns at her bandstand forward of bridge, her twin 25mm guns on her aft funnel were replaced with triple mountings, they also installed a new radar on her bridge.
On June 16, 1943, she departed from Yokosuka for Truk. Then she accompanied Nagara for a troop transport run from Truk to Nauru, they returned to Truk afterwards. She escorted Choukai from Truk to Shortland, then she was assign to provide cover for the troop transport run to Kolombangara on July 9, 1943.
She participated in the Battle of Kolombangara on the night of July 12 to 13, 1943, she was with Jintsuu and 4 destroyer, they engaged an Allied fleet composed of 3 light cruisers and 10 destroyer, the IJN force was completely outnumbered. Jintsuu attract the Allied ships with her searchlight and pounded her with many shells until she sunk, but Yukikaze led a counterattack and fired her Type-93 torpedoes at the Allied ships, the rest of the IJN destroyers also followed. She was accounted for sinking USS Gwin DD-433 and heavily damaged 2 light cruisers. The IJN destroyers immediately escape from the battle and successfully landed troops at Vila.
On July 19, 1943, she was assign to cover another transport to Kolombangara as part of the escort force together with DesRon 3 flagship Sendai and destroyer Hamakaze, Kiyokaze, and Yuugure, the transport run managed to land troops and munition at Kolombangara on July 20, 1943. She led another troop transport to Kolombangara on July 23, 1943. She departed from Rabaul for Truk, then she escorted Kumano and escort carrier Taiyou from Truk to Kure together with Ushio, she was docked for maintenance afterwards. One of her turret was removed and replaced with two triple 25mm Type-96 AA guns, a Type-22 radar was mounted on her foremast and Type-13 radar on her mainmast, an improved sonar was also installed. On November 14, 1943, she escorted food supply ship Irako from Yokosuka to Truk, then she escorted carrier Chitose and Irako from Truk back to Yokosuka on December 14, 1943.
On January 25, 1944, she escorted Convoy HI-31 which composed of 6 high-speed oil tankers and Chitose, she was with Amatsukaze, they departed from Moji to Singapore. On January 16, 1944, the convoy was attacked by USN submarine USS Redfin SS-272, Amatsukaze was hit by a torpedo and was presumed sunk, the rest of the convoy proceed safely to Singapore, they arrived on January 20, 1944. She escorted Chitose and Convoy HI-31 from Singapore to Moji, they departed on January 25, 1944 and arrived on February 5, 1944. She escorted Zuihou with Yamagumo from Yokosuka to Guam then back to Kure afterwards.
On March 31, 1944, DesDiv 16 was deactivated, she was attached to DesDiv 17 part of the DesRon 10, 3rd fleet, together with Urakaze, Tanikaze, Isokaze and Hamakaze, though Tanikaze's crew were not happy about this because of the spreading rumors about Yukikaze. She escorted Yamato and Maya fom Kure to Lingga via Manila. She escorted the Combined Fleet from Lingga to Tawi-Tawi. She suffered a minor damage, her propeller hit a reef at Tawi-Tawi, her speed was reduced to 25 knots, she proceed to Tawi-Tawi anchorage for repairs.
During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, she assigned to lead the 2nd Supply Force which composed of 2 oil tankers while Uzuki will escort them, the 2nd Supply Force will support the main force for the battle. They were attacked by aircraft, Yukikaze managed to shoot down 3 aircraft but both tankers were sunk in action, Yukikaze removed the crew from oil tanker Seiyo Maru, and scuttle the tanker afterwards. She proceed to Guimarras and escorted another tanker convoy to Kure, then she was docked for maintenance afterwards. They fitted her with more 25mm Type-96 AA guns, she has now a total of 24 25-mm AA guns, they also added four 13mm Type-95 AA guns, and carries 36 depth charges. On September 22, 1943, she escorted Fusou and Yamashiro from Kure to Lingga, then she departed from Lingga to Brunei.
During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, she escorted the Center Force commanded by Vice Admiral Kurita, the Center Force composed of 5 battleships, 10 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, and 15 destroyers. Atago and Maya were sunk at the Palawan Passage and Takao was heavily damaged, Naganami detached from the group, and Musashi sunk in Sibuyan Sea, Kiyoshimo and Hamakaze detached from the group. In the Battle off Samar, Yukikaze was one of the ship to deliver the final blow at USS Johnston DD-557, there was another possibility that Yukikaze's captain, CO. Terauchi Masamichi, saluted at sinking Johnston. As the Center Force withdrawn from the fight, she attempted to assist Nowaki rescuing Chikuma's crew but Nowaki was caught by the USN Task Group 34.5, Nowaki was smothered with gunfire from the cruisers, Nowaki sunk afterwards, Yukikaze managed to escape from this engagement and joined the Center Force with Isokaze back to Brunei.
On November 9, 1944, she escorted the Combined Fleet out of Brunei and into Sulu Sea to support Leyte troop transport operations. On November 15, 1944, DesDiv 17 was reassigned to DesRon 2, 2nd Fleet. On November 16, 1944, she escorted Yamato, Nagato and Kongou with DesRon 2 flagship Yahagi and DesDiv 17. They departed from Brunei to Kure. On November 21, 1944, USN submarine USS Sealion SS-315 attacked the group, Sealion sank Kongou and Urakaze, Hamakze and Isokaze stayed behind to rescue survivors, the rest arrived in Kure on November 24, 1944, she departed on the next day to escort Nagato to Yokosuka.
On November 28, 1944, she escorted Shinano from Yokosuka towards inland waters together with Isokaze and Hamakaze, on the next day, Shinano was attacked by USS Archerfish SS-311, Shinano sank by four torpedoes from Archerfish, Archerfish managed to escaped, the destroyers rescued a total of 1,080 survivors. She departed from Moji to escort a troop transport to Formosa, she returned afterwards.
From January to March of 1945, she trained within inland waters, she also used as a target ship for the Kaiten, her 25mm Type-96 anti-aircraft guns were increased to 27. On April 6, 1945, she assigned for the Operation Ten-go to stop Allied invasion in Okinawa, she will escort Yamato and Yahagi with Hatsushimo, Asashimo, Kasumi, Fuyutsuki, Suzutsuki, Isokaze and Hamakaze. On April 7, 1945, they were attacked by aircraft from Task Force 58, Yamato, Yahagi, Asashimo, Hamakaze were sunk in action, Kasumi and Isokaze were scuttled, Suzutsuki was heavily damaged, the rest of the surviving able destroyers rescued the survivors, Yukikaze removed Isokaze's crew and scuttled Isokaze afterwards. Yukikaze received minor damage from the engagement due to aircraft strafing, 3 of her crew were dead and 15 were wounded. They arrived on April 8, 1945 at Sasebo.
On May 17, 1945, she steamed with Sakawa and Hatsushimo from Kure to Maizuru, they were assigned for security duty till the end of the war. On July 30, 1945, she received minor damaged from TF-38, 1 of her crew was killed with several wounded. On August 15, 1945, she was assigned to DesDiv 41 part of Escort Squadron 31, Combined Fleet, she was with Fuyuzuki, Natsuzuki and Yoizuki.
She was removed from the naval list on October 5, 1945, they removed her armaments, she was demobilized on November 19, 1945, and used as a repatriation ship. She was carried out a total of 15 repatriation missions within the Southern Pacific area with a total of 10,003 troops which are sent back to Japan until December 28, 1946. Yukikaze was given to the US on December 30, 1946, she was put in storage and was examined. She was transferred to the Republic of China on July 6, 1947.
Yukikaze will continue to operate as ROCS Tan Yang DD-12.
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*shock*Grim Reaper!?The 8th ship of Kagerou class Destroyers...but, in the other hand, even though Yukikaze survived, the ship she escorted and the other ships in the group are often ends up sunk. For this, she's also called the "Grim Reaper".
Undamaged even when struck by torpedo. Got struck by rocket, but it failed to explode. She mostly ends up unscathed and this miracle tale is untarnished.Launched on March 1939 and comissioned at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 1940.
She participated in many mission and battles.
She starts as the flagship of the 16th Destroyer Division. After that, because all the other ships are sunk, leaving Yukikaze alone, she's transferred as 5th ship of the 17th Destroyer Division.
She participated in many escort mission and always returned home alive and with only minimum damage. This is how she's called the Miracle Ship.At the end of the war, Yukikaze transported many soldiers back to Japan. One of the soldiers is manga artist Mizuki Shigeru.
After that, Yukikaze was transferred to the Republic of China as war reparation and she's renamed into "Tan Yang." Even in the other side, Yukikaze is also known as the miracle ship.
Yukikaze's achievement there includes holding position as the flagship of ROC Navy.
Yukikaze kept working until she's finally scrapped on 1970 because of disaster (damaged by storm).At the end of the war, because of the light damage and small number of crew casualties, Yukikaze is one of the most experienced ships in the navy.
With new equipment installed, she even held the position as flagship of the 8th Destroyer Division once.