The official AHF Japan at War quiz thread

[ijnfleetadmiral]

Captain Matsuda Gengo was the final CO of light cruiser Isuzu. Before assuming command of that ship, he served in a lower position aboard one of the IJN's battleships. Which position did he serve in, and what battleship was it?

[peter2010]

Gunnery officer on battleship Yamato

[ijnfleetadmiral]

Bingo...you're up.

[peter2010]

What Japanese unit was associated with the character 幸 (meaning "fortune", "happiness")?

[stulev]

The Third Infantry Division

[peter2010]

The Third Infantry Division

Aber ja! Passing on the baton...

[stulev]

The 9794 ton passenger-cargo ship AWAJISAN MARU holds a place in history -- What is it??

[AVV]

Hello!
As Wiki tells:
It was commissioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy to transport troops in World War II and was part of the Japanese Invasion of Malaya on December 8, 1941.
Along with its sister ships Ayatosan Maru and Sakura Maru, it was carrying around 5,000 troops during the landings at Kota Bharu. Awazisan Maru was bombed by a Lockheed Hudson aircraft of No. 1 Squadron RAAF, set afire and was abandoned to drift. It is believed that the freighter sunk or was subsequently torpedoed by the Dutch submarine K-XII.
The invasion of Malaya preceded the attack on Pearl Harbor by an hour and a half, making it the first Japanese campaign of World War II, likely making the Awazisan Maru the very first casualty in the war.

Best regards, Aleks

[stulev]

Yes the first Japanese Merchant ship sunk after attack on Pearl Harbor - over to you

[AVV]

Thanks!
What event is shown in this photo?

Best regards, Aleks

[ijnfleetadmiral]

Explosion of either Tsukuba or Kawachi?

[AVV]

No, an earlier event.

Best regards, Aleks

[ijnfleetadmiral]

Sinking of Matsushima?

[AVV]

Sorry, no again.
A hint: the blown-up ship was not Japanese.

Best regards, Aleks

[peter2010]

Russian gunboat Korietz explodes on February 9, 1904, during the Battle of Chemulpo Bay, at the start of the Russo-Japanese War. It was not sunk by the Japanese but scuttled by its own crew, who blew up two ammunition magazines.