So I have been reading about the SNLF paratroopers of the 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF. I have read a lot material on its creation and early operations but, when they are on Saipan I can't seem to find anything about/on them. Are there any books or information about them during this late campaign out there? How well did they fight on Saipan ? Were they still the elite fighting force of the early years? Where were they stationed on Saipan? And in what engagements did they participate in during the Battle?
The only thing I can find seems to be that they were merged and they were completely destroyed during the Battle of Saipan.
Any knowledge or references would be very much appreciated.
Cap
1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF on Saipan
- ijnfleetadmiral
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Re: 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF on Saipan
Here's what I have for the CO of 1st Yokosuka SNLF at the time of Saipan:
KARASHIMA Tatsuo
Eta Jima Class 56 (Class Rank Unknown)
MID - 03/16/1928
ENS - 11/30/1929
LTJG - 12/01/1931
LT - 11/15/1934
LCDR - 11/15/1940
KINUGASA Gunnery Officer - 07/14/1942 - 11/14/1942
CO 1st Yokosuka SNLF - 01/06/1943 - 07/08/1944
CDR - 05/01/1944
CAPT - 07/08/1944 (KIA on Saipan)
3rd Yokosuka SNLF was apparently combined with 1st Yokosuka SNLF on 15 February 1943, as I have it listed as deactivated on that date. Here's what I have for the final CO:
FUKUMI Koichi
Eta Jima Class 53 (163 of 236)
MID - 07/24/1924
ENS - 12/01/1925
LTJG - 12/01/1927
LT - 12/01/1930
AOBA Division Officer - ??? - ???
LCDR - 12/01/1936
JINTSU Gunnery Officer - 10/15/1940 - ???
CDR - 10/15/1941
CO 3rd Yokosuka SNLF - 11/20/1941 - 02/15/1943
CAPT - Died of illness at unknown date.
TIA if anyone can add to this info!
KARASHIMA Tatsuo
Eta Jima Class 56 (Class Rank Unknown)
MID - 03/16/1928
ENS - 11/30/1929
LTJG - 12/01/1931
LT - 11/15/1934
LCDR - 11/15/1940
KINUGASA Gunnery Officer - 07/14/1942 - 11/14/1942
CO 1st Yokosuka SNLF - 01/06/1943 - 07/08/1944
CDR - 05/01/1944
CAPT - 07/08/1944 (KIA on Saipan)
3rd Yokosuka SNLF was apparently combined with 1st Yokosuka SNLF on 15 February 1943, as I have it listed as deactivated on that date. Here's what I have for the final CO:
FUKUMI Koichi
Eta Jima Class 53 (163 of 236)
MID - 07/24/1924
ENS - 12/01/1925
LTJG - 12/01/1927
LT - 12/01/1930
AOBA Division Officer - ??? - ???
LCDR - 12/01/1936
JINTSU Gunnery Officer - 10/15/1940 - ???
CDR - 10/15/1941
CO 3rd Yokosuka SNLF - 11/20/1941 - 02/15/1943
CAPT - Died of illness at unknown date.
TIA if anyone can add to this info!
MSG, MS State Guard (Ret.) - First Always!
- Akira Takizawa
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Re: 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF on Saipan
Fukumi died at Yokosuka Naval Hospital on Jan. 27th, 1943. Of course, he did not participate in the battle of Saipan.
1st Yokosuka SNLF on Saipan consisted of five companies and had 1,327 men. Most of them were paratroopers. So, they were elite.
1st Yokosuka SNLF was deployed between Garapan and Tanapag. It attacked landing Americans on the night of June 16th and most of them including commander Karashima were killed. It was destroyed in the first stage of the battle of Saipan.
Taki
1st Yokosuka SNLF on Saipan consisted of five companies and had 1,327 men. Most of them were paratroopers. So, they were elite.
1st Yokosuka SNLF was deployed between Garapan and Tanapag. It attacked landing Americans on the night of June 16th and most of them including commander Karashima were killed. It was destroyed in the first stage of the battle of Saipan.
Taki
Re: 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF on Saipan
Awesome stuff. Can I ask your sources taki?
- Akira Takizawa
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Re: 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF on Saipan
Mainly from Yamabe's book. But, this book is not translated into English.
http://amzn.asia/ajeGKHV
Yamabe was the company commander of Yokosuka 1st SNLF. But, he left from Saipan before the Americans landed. So, he survived.
Taki
http://amzn.asia/ajeGKHV
Yamabe was the company commander of Yokosuka 1st SNLF. But, he left from Saipan before the Americans landed. So, he survived.
Taki